There was the stare, the club swivel, the nod and the walk.
It was all there.
Unfortunately for Rory McIlroy, his shot was too good.
The Northern Irishman was in top form at Augusta National in his second round and he had to be on a day when the course bit many top golfers in the rear.
Overnight leader Charley Hoffman carded a 75, to drop back to -4, while Shane Lowry dropped back to +7 after a rough 79. McIlroy finished on +1 after a 73 but it could have been so, so much better.
Having hit the turn at even par – three birdies, three bogeys and three pars – McIlroy had a more sedate time of it on the way back. He birdied 17 and was looking to go to -1 on 18 after a booming drive off the tee.
McIlroy was left with 104 yards to the front of the green and was able to use a pitching wedge for his approach. The idea was to loft one up just beyond the flag and have the hill gently bring it back.
That was the idea.
McIlroy was happy with his approach, as was Nick Faldo on US television commentary. As the four-time Major winner walked after his shot, howls could be heard from the galleries around the green.
McIlroy’s approach was so good that it turned out pinging the flag-stick and bouncing back off the green. As Butch Harmon [over on Sky Sports] exclaimed:
“Oooiiiiiiii, oh. That’s just plain unlucky.”
McIlroy rattles the flag! ⛳️ 🙈
Live on SS4 all weekend! Brought to you by @TaylorMadeTour. https://t.co/J6qZBlt31l— Sky Sports Golf (@SkySportsGolf) April 7, 2017
It ended up 40 yards away and McIlroy took three further shots to get rid of the ball.
OMG, how unlucky is that shot for Rory McIlroy? Wow. Dead aim at the stick, hits the stick and it rockets clear off the green. #themasters
— John Livingston (@jlivi2) April 7, 2017
A birdie chance turned into a plain unfortunate bogey. Golf, like life, can be cruel sometimes.
McIlroy’s attitude following his round of 73 was pure class, though:
"I just have to birdie the first tomorrow and all will be forgotten!" – Rory McIlroy positive in adversity after his unlucky 73 #TheMasters pic.twitter.com/iWk7yLpivc
— Golf Digest Ireland (@GolfDigestIre) April 7, 2017
That’s the boy.
