What Rory McIlroy informed Amanda Balionis instantly after epic Masters spherical

Rory McIlroy will take a two-shot lead into the final round of the Masters on Sunday after a scintillating round of 66 on moving day at Augusta National

Rory McIlroy described his Saturday’s round to Amanda Balionis as a “dream start” and reacted to Jim Nantz’s hefty compliments that she relayed. It’s no secret that the broadcaster is quite taken with McIlroy’s performance.

Heading into Sunday’s showdown, the Ulsterman holds a solo lead, two shots clear of Bryson DeChambeau, teeing up what promises to be a thrilling face-off after DeChambeau grabbed the U.S. Open title in June of the previous year.

McIlroy, maintaining his form, hit another 6-under, making a remarkable recovery from an initial round stumble, now leading the pack at the tournament.

Launching into the third round with historic flair, McIlroy became the first golfer ever at the Masters to fire six threes across the first six holes.

While he hit a slight snag with bogeys on the eighth and ninth, he rebounded with a birdie on 13, and a stunning eagle on 15 really got the Augusta National buzzed up.

DeChambeau wasn’t content to stay quiet, though, clinching a last-minute birdie on the 18th to shave McIlroy’s lead down to a skinny two shots, cooking up a truly tantalising pairing for fans.

Reflecting on his standout moments of the round, McIlroy told Balionis that he was chuffed to finally join the chip-in party after discussing his impressive second-round shot. “A dream start. Everyone we’ve played with this week’s chipped in, so it was about time I did,” said McIlroy, reports the Irish Star.

“But yeah, I got off to the best start, and then you’re trying to keep it going and it’s a little difficult. The course got pretty tricky there towards the end, especially the greens got a little firmer.

“Felt like I was leaving myself above the hole every single green so I couldn’t really run putts at the hole. A little wobble round the turn there then I played a great solid back-9 and obviously the two par 5s helped.”

Balionis noted that legendary announcer Nantz had called his approach on 15 “the most majestic six iron he’s ever seen.”

To which McIlroy responded: “High praise from him. Thank you. To convert the putt was also, again, that was more of a flat putt compared to some of the other ones I had, especially 16, 17 and 18 all down the slope.

“I felt like maybe I could’ve got one or two more out of the round but I’m not going to complain. It was an awesome day and obviously puts me in a great position going into tomorrow.”

When Balionis suggested that the upcoming pairing with DeChambeau was creating hype after their last encounter at the U.S. Open, McIlroy remarked: “I think the big thing is not to make it a rematch. Stay in my own little world. There’s a few other people on that leaderboard who could make a run.

“So I just have to do what I’ve been doing. Sort of surround myself in my own little cocoon and just get into my own little bubble and he’ll do what he does and I just have to stay firm and just stay in my own little world.”