McIlroy wants to keep 'foot on the gas' after making Masters history

[p]The defending champion birdied six of the last seven holes in Friday's second round to grab a Masters record six-stroke edge after 36 holes.[/p][p]And the secret, it turns out, was coming to Augusta National to use the champions' locker room and enjoy the famed course.[/p][p][b]"I think just spending so much time up here has been a big part of it," [/b][a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/mcilroy-rory/djwanksN/"]McIlroy[/a] said.[b] "I spent a lot of time up here the last three weeks.[/b][/p][p][b]"Felt like I was part of the furniture at some point, but I think all those rounds I played, and chipping and putting, it has definitely paid off.[/b][/p][p][b]"My short game the first two days has been amazing."[/b][/p][p]With birdies on nine of 18 holes against two bogeys, McIlroy fired a seven-under par 67 to stand on 12-under 132 midway into the year's first major, Americans Sam Burns and [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/reed-patrick/OtRhqCKL/"]Patrick Reed[/a] six adrift in second.[/p][embed guid="89b37c31-b66d-49d8-9e88-5dba3e7ee9dc" url="https://x.com/TheMasters/status/2042788024887709925?s=20" social-type="twitter" /][p][b]"I've built up a nice cushion," [/b]McIlroy said.[b] "I guess my mindset is just trying to keep playing well and keeping my foot on the gas."[/b][/p][p]McIlroy's lead ties the third-largest 36-hole edge in major golf history, three off Henry Cotton's 1934 British Open record and one back of [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/koepka-brooks/t0xtKfZH/"]Brooks Koepka[/a] at the 2019 PGA Championship.[/p][p][b]"Even though I haven't played tournament golf, I feel like being up here a lot and playing, I've prepared as well for this Masters as any other I've played.[/b][/p][p][b]"All that work around the greens over the last three weeks has certainly paid off over the last two days."[/b][/p][p]McIlroy didn't mind missing the PGA Tour events leading up to the Masters.[/p][p][b]"I honestly just don't like the three tournaments leading up to this event," [/b]McIlroy said. [b]"I'd rather come up here."[/b][/p][p]World number two McIlroy chipped in from 29 yards at the 17th before sinking a six-foot birdie at 18 for the record.[/p][p]McIlroy, trying to become only the fourth player to win back-to-back Masters titles, found himself in a rarely reached zone during his incredible finish.[/p][embed guid="179654d9-b88c-4c2d-ab0c-575090ac7a3f" url="https://x.com/TheMasters/status/2042733950834016735?s=20" social-type="twitter" /][p][b]"I've certainly had times where I felt in the zone,"[/b] he said. [b]"I definitely found a sense of flow those last few holes.[/b][/p][p][b]"The only way I can describe it is everything you see or any situation you come across, you can find a positive in it. And then you see birdies and you can see ways to make birdies."[/b][/p][p]McIlroy said the event is far from over despite his huge margin.[/p][p][b]"I just want to go out and play two good rounds again,"[/b] McIlroy said. [b]"Guys can get on runs, guys can make eagles, you hear roars all over the golf course.[/b][/p][p][b]"I think the next two days for me is really about focusing on myself and staying in my own little world out there."[/b][/p][p]After birdies on three of the first four holes, McIlroy said to himself 10-under would be an amazing score. Then he beat that.[/p][embed guid="494486f4-aa65-4c1a-bf64-b9bfb5666d4f" url="https://x.com/TheMasters/status/2042739241185083594?s=20" social-type="twitter" /][p][b]"I knew I had some chances coming in when I was standing on the 12th tee, but I didn't think I'd birdie six of the last seven," [/b]McIlroy said. [b]"It just shows what you can do around here, even if you might hit it in the trees."[/b][/p][p]Despite ending a 10-year major win drought to complete a career Grand Slam last year, five-time major winner McIlroy still fights to stay aggressive at Augusta.[/p][p][b]"My little mantra to myself today was keep swinging hard at it even if you're not hitting fairways, just keep swinging,"[/b] McIlroy said.[/p][p][b]"The experience I've accrued over the years and obviously with what happened last year, it makes it a bit easier out there to keep swinging."[/b][/p][p]McIlroy's 10th major round of 65 or lower equals the record shared by [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/woods-tiger/jcA2kkj7/"]Tiger Woods[/a] and [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/johnson-dustin/UqNejxuE/"]Dustin Johnson[/a].[/p]