Rory McIlroy revealed he turned to a Disney animation about crime-busting rabbit as he surged closer to solving the mystery of the missing green jacket.
The Northern Irishman carded a second 66 in two days to put himself two shots clear of Bryson DeChambeau as the Masters enters its final day.
McIlroy, who made Augusta National history by starting with six consecutive threes, said he prepared for round three by taking in 2016 comedy Zootopia with his four-year-old daughter.
‘I watched a little bit of Premier League football this morning, and then I actually watched “Zootopia” with Poppy,’ he explained. (It’s a) very, very good movie if anyone’s interested.’
McIlroy flew out of the blocks to stir a raucous crowd. ‘It was a dream start,’ he said, before adding that he had hit a series of ‘perfect shots’.
‘There’s a lot of anticipation and sort of anxious energy that builds up,’ he added. ‘You just want to get out there and play. So you know, with all of that, to go out and start the way I did, was amazing.’
Rory McIlroy has revealed how his wife Erica (left) and daughter Poppy have been helping him
McIlroy is two shots clear heading into the final round of the Masters on Sunday at Augusta
McIlroy will tee off with Bryson DeChambeau, who is two shots behind after nailing a sensational putt from the edge of the green on 18. The big-hitter won last year’s US Open after McIlroy’s late collapse but he is not thinking of a repeat. ‘Thankfully I’ve got a pretty short memory,’ he said, when asked about the pairing.
Before the tournament started, McIlroy said he had been watching Bridgerton with his wife Erica Stoll and reading a John Grisham novel to take his mind off things as he prepared.
‘I’ll have some dinner tonight,’ he said when asked about his evening plans. ‘Maybe try to make it through the second episode of the third season of ‘Bridgerton.’ Fell asleep during episode 1 last night. And that’s it. Yeah, sort of put the phone away. Don’t look at it. Try not to look at it until tomorrow night.’
McIlroy revealed that he spent Saturday morning watching ‘Zootopia’ with his four-year-old
He also said he fell asleep watching Bridgerton with Erica, but would be trying again tonight
Prior to the tournament beginning, he had detailed how Erica ‘convinced’ him to watch the Netflix series with her, despite him being ‘very against it’.
He also played down the hype around his attempt to end an 11-year major drought and win his first Masters.
‘I think I still have to remind myself that there’s a long way to go, just like I said yesterday, 18 holes,’ he added. ‘I know what can happen on the final day here. I’ve got a lot of experience. I came in here talking about being the most complete version of myself as a golfer, and you know, I just have to keep reminding myself of that and remind myself that no matter what situation or scenario I find myself in tomorrow, I’ll be able to handle it.’
McIlroy, who did not clarify which game he watched this morning, is a huge Manchester United fan. Perhaps fortunately, given the club’s current season, he is likely to be back at the course when Ruben Amorim’s side kick-off at Newcastle United tomorrow.
