Rory McIlroy gives completely honest answer about fatherhood and golf
Rory McIlroy spoke about why he will never resent Augusta National as he spoke about dad life during the majors.
Rory McIlroy says even fatherhood can't stop him from thinking about a bad swing at The Masters.
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A mildly content McIlroy, 32, found himself at 2-over par after 36 holes at Augusta National as the wind gradually picked up on Friday.
The Northern Irishman admitted he felt like there was little point in practising in the evening because of the gusty conditions.
So instead he was content to make his way back to his hotel room and relax with wife Erica and daughter Poppy.
"We'll have a splash around in the bath a bit," McIlroy told Sky Sports. But even fatherhood won't distract him from thinking about one moment of pain.
McIlroy made a pretty horrid double bogey at the 11th hole. He had found the fairway with his tee shot and chose a 6-iron for his approach.
But his pass at the ball was not a pretty sight. He had to yell fore as the ball headed way, way, right towards the patrons.
He pitched onto the green and gave himself a chance for par. Then he gave himself a chance for bogey and missed that. A double from nowhere. Grim.
McIlroy was asked if he was able to put a moment like that behind him considering he is a father now and he has a different perspective about life in general.
He said: "I'd like to say yes, but no. I'd like to say, yeah, it's [fatherhood is] lovely.
"No, I'm still playing with Poppy and thinking about the 6-iron on 11. So I'd love to say yes, but no."
At 2-over par for the tournament, McIlroy was safely inside the projected cut of 5-over par.
McIlroy added: "You go out tomorrow and you play a decent front nine, and all of a sudden you're right in the thick of things.
"I'm in a decent position. I'd like to be a couple of shots better at least, but I'm still right there."
His double bogey at 11 was also accompanied by bogeys at five and 10. He made birdies at two, 13 and 16.
McIlroy has for so many years come away from Augusta National empty handed. This is his 14th Masters.
Has he come to resent the place?
"No, I -- for a golfer, it's one of the best places on earth," he said.
"Someone could argue St. Andrews. Someone could argue here. But it's such a cool place that you can never hate it.
"Sometimes I hate the results of the tournament, but in terms of the place and the club and the membership, it's wonderful, and I always have a great time here."
