10 April,2016 09:24 AM IST | | PA Sport
Rory McIlroy believes the Masters owes him a green jacket to complete the career grand slam after setting up a mouthwatering battle with defending champion Jordan Spieth
Rory McIlroy reacts on the 18th hole during the second round of the Augusta Masters on Friday
Augusta (United States): Rory McIlroy believes the Masters "owes" him a green jacket to complete the career grand slam after setting up a mouthwatering battle with defending champion Jordan Spieth.
Rory McIlroy reacts on the 18th hole during the second round of the Augusta Masters on Friday. Pic/AFP
McIlroy could have won his first major title at Augusta National when he took a four-shot lead into the final round in 2011, only to collapse to a closing 80 to finish 10 shots behind the winner Charl Schwartzel.
The 26-year-old bounced back to win the US Open two months later and the US PGA title in 2012, meaning victory in the Open at Hoylake in 2014 left him needing victory in the Masters to join Gene Sarazen, Ben Hogan, Gary Player, Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods in having won all four majors.
"I sort of feel that Augusta owes me something and I have come with that attitude," McIlroy told RTE after a second round of 71 in swirling winds left him just a shot behind Spieth, who struggled to a 74. "I have come here to get something that I should have had a long time ago.
"You need to be so focused and in control of your emotions here. It's about not getting fazed and mentally I have been good the last couple of days. I need to keep that going for the next two days."
