McIlroy maintains Masters lead; Woods just three back

AUGUSTA, Ga. – The construction of a green jacket moment is only halfway complete for 21-year-old Rory McIlroy, but the process of growing into his immense talent might be much further along.

As the sun began to fade over Augusta National early Friday evening, McIlroy owned a two-stroke lead over Jason Day midway through a youth-infused Masters that had begun to identify its key characters, including a late-arriving Tiger Woods.

There’s a sense, at least through 36 holes, that this Masters could be a coronation of sorts for the new, young stars, particularly McIlroy. His threesome Friday, which included 23-year-old Day and 22-year-old Rickie Fowler, combined to shoot 14 under, putting each among the top 11.

Day moved into second place with a brilliant 64, surprising even McIlroy, who didn’t realize how low his playing partner was going until he did the math while reading a scoreboard on the 15th hole.

It was about that time that Woods’ name hit the big white boards, ushered in by the roars that accompanied his second-round 66, his lowest score in the Masters since 2005. He’s at 137.

This is some of what Woods created with his spectacular run that began with his Masters victory in 1997. It’s what inspired McIlroy, Day and Fowler, among others, who now find themselves set for a weekend battle against Woods, who is chasing what could be the most meaningful victory of his career.

“It’s the next generation,” Woods said after finishing his second round by shooting 5-under 31 on the back side. “It’s good to see these guys out playing with that much enthusiasm, that much zest for the game – and that good.”

McIlroy tacked a 69 to his opening 65, putting him at 10-under 134, a lead that could have been wider had he been able to coax another medium-length putt or two into the hole.

“I’m two ahead at a major championship. You can’t be disappointed with that,” said McIlroy, who planned another evening with his three mates, who are visiting from Northern Ireland and diverting his attention from the nearly error-free golf he’s played to this point.

Unlike the British Open last summer when he followed his opening 63 with a wind-blown 80, McIlroy was steady, smooth and solid Friday.

“There is a point where the young people start to be more mature than (their) age and Rory, he’s been like this since he was on tour,” said Alvaro Quiros, who shared the first-round lead with McIlroy and now trails by four.

“There is a point, always there is a moment where the people grow up and … I think in Rory’s case, it could easily be this week.”

McIlroy has been nearly flawless, making just one bogey in 36 holes. He has shown patience, firing away from dangerous flags when necessary and being aggressive when the opportunity allows.

With three third-place finishes during the past five majors, McIlroy is in familiar territory, though never at the Masters.

“I do feel comfortable, but it’s only because I feel as if I’m playing well,” McIlroy said.

The vibe hardly could have been better. Like Fowler, McIlroy likes to play quickly, forcing Day to keep pace. Geoff Ogivly, tied for fifth and four shots back, said McIlroy’s cheerful demeanor even translates into his bouncing walk.

The young threesome used each other’s momentum to build a collective roll that dominated the day, at least until Woods shouldered into the story.

“Jason and I were on 18 green at the end and … I said, ‘You know, this a pretty cool place to be,’ ” said Fowler, who is among five players five strokes off the lead. “We were just sitting there kind of enjoying it, looking over the rest of the course. … Exactly what I said – it’s a pretty cool place to be.”

Woods has hit just 13 of 28 fairways during two rounds, tied with Phil Mickelson and 97th worst in a field of 99, but his back nine Friday had a classic look, changing the feel of the weekend as it begins.

“It’s irrelevant who is there,” Woods said of the leaderboard. “My whole job is to get myself there with a chance with nine holes to go. That’s what we’ve always done. I’ve been successful at it in the past.”