Masters 2012: Rory McIlroy Has Everyone Right Where He Wants Them

You saw it coming when Rory McIlroy birdied his final two holes at Augusta on Thursday.

Then it came.

McIlroy shot a three-under 69 in the second round of the Masters on Friday, using five birdies to do so. And after scoring a one-under 71 in the first round, McIlroy now stands at four-under 140 as he gets set for the stretch run.

It isn't exactly a surprise, of course. McIlroy came into the 2012 Masters as the No. 2 golfer in the world. Not only did he set the links on fire in 2011, complete with a historic U.S. Open, he had top-five finishes in all five of his tournaments this year heading into Augusta, including a win at the Honda Classic and a third-place finish at the Cadillac Championship.

There have been some doubters, those who believed McIlroy's collapse at Augusta last year would stay with him in 2012. But that hasn't been the case thus far.  

McIlroy shot better on Friday than he did on Thursday, and that's a great sign. Last year, when he was still finding himself, he shot worse as the rounds went on. He began with a 65 in the first round and ended with an 80 in the final round.

McIlroy is proving that he's a much more composed golfer this year. He's not only finished well on the PGA Tour, he's been extremely consistent, which is why he's the most dangerous player at Augusta. He finished with a 67 and a 69 at the Cadillac Championship and Honda Classic, respectively.

The rest of the field was hoping McIlroy would see his past demons arise this year at the Masters, and there's still time for that to happen, but he's no longer that young kid trying to make a name for himself—he's the front-runner, and he's playing like it.

The field is still wide open, which should make for an exciting finish. Jason Dufner and Fred Couples each closed the second round with a score of five-under 139. As always, anything could happen at Augusta.

But you don't get the sense McIlroy will falter down the stretch this year—you get the feeling he's looking up at the leaders, ready to soar into the clouds.

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