Rory McIlroy Vaults into Masters Lead with Career First at Augusta

The biggest story at The Masters heading into Saturday’s third round was Rory McIlroy, who jumped into contention with a 6-under 66 in round two.

There is surely plenty of pressure on McIlroy over the final 36 holes as he chases the career grand slam at a place where he has come up short plenty of times. Based on his start on Saturday, you wouldn’t be able to tell.

The four-time major champion crushed a 371-yard drive on the first hole before a solid approach into the first green. He then drained the birdie putt to start his round off 1-under.

That was nothing compared to his feat on the second hole. McIlroy crushed his drive once again before just flying the green with his second shot on the par-5. His third was a seemingly difficult downhill chip from behind the green, but he judged it perfectly and sunk it for an unthinkable eagle.

McIlroy’s birdie-eagle start moved him to 9-under for the tournament and put him alone in the lead. That start also set a career first for the Northern Irishman, according to Justin Ray.

McIlroy didn’t slow down from there, making a fairly simple birdie on the short par-4 third to get a two-shot cushion at the top of the leaderboard.

As long as McIlroy is leading, golf fans will be dreaming of him slipping on the Green Jacket and finally finishing the 11-year quest for the career grand slam.

There is even a chance that we could be in for a repeat of Pinehurst last year at the U.S. Open when McIlroy and Bryson DeChambeau battled it out on Sunday. DeChambeau is off to a birdie-birdie start himself on Saturday at Augusta, putting him in second place.

With the stars firing on all cylinders, led by McIlroy, there are sure to be plenty of fireworks in the afternoon on moving day.

More Golf: Former Masters Winner Comes out of Nowhere into Contention at Augusta