Rory McIlroy’s third round splutters into life after vow to keep his foot on gas

Defending Masters champion Rory McIlroy had pledged to “keep his foot on the gas” despite his commanding lead but the third round spluttered into life for the Northern Irishman.

He bogeyed the first after going over the back of the green and what was a six-shot lead was already down to four as playing partner Sam Burns birdied, as had 2018 champion Patrick Reed in the group ahead of him.

And looming in his rear-view mirror, now only five back, was two-time winner and world number one Scottie Scheffler who was having a career-best round at Augusta.

By the time McIlroy had teed off on the first the American, who had gone out two-and-a-half hours before him, had recorded his best front nine (31) at Augusta and then birdied the 11th to be six under for his round having started at level par.

He eagled the second and reached the turn with three successive birdies, which included nearly holing his approach to the ninth.

McIlroy had credited the strength of his opening two rounds to his detailed preparation.

As a champion he is able to play practice rounds, albeit with an Augusta National member, with greater frequency than fellow competitors and the Northern Irishman certainly took advantage in the weeks leading up to the tournament.

He had three weeks off following the Players Championship, where he failed to successfully defend his title, to concentrate on his preparation as, by his own admission, he does not like playing the PGA Tour events in Texas.

That raised a few eyebrows but McIlroy – whose six-shot lead at 12 under was the biggest 36-hole advantage in Masters history – spent the time focusing on practice, which even included day trips from his Florida home via private jet.

“I honestly just don’t like the three tournaments leading up to this event, I’d rather come up here,” said the world number two, who is seeking to follow Jack Nicklaus, Tiger Woods and Sir Nick Faldo in winning back-to-back Masters titles.

“I did a couple of days where I dropped (daughter) Poppy to school, flew up here, played, landed back home and had dinner with her or Erica (his wife) probably.

“I felt it was a better use of my time than going to Houston or San Antonio. Between the Players and starting on Thursday, I’ve been on this golf course, like Monday, Tuesday last week, then Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday.

“I was up here for a day the week before as well. I’ve been on this golf course so much the last three weeks and that’s been a combination of practice and chipping and putting around greens.

“Then just playing one ball and shooting scores and ending up in weird places that you maybe never find yourself and just trying to figure it out.”