Rory McIlroy opens up on the morning chat that made miraculous Masters comeback possible

revealed that he had to remind himself that he's in great form before his stunning 66 at on Friday. The Northern Irishman started his second round eight shots off the lead after his nightmare finish on Friday, with two double bogeys in the final four holes leaving him level par.

However, the world No.2 is now back within two of Justin Rose after carding four birdies and an eagle. He made up three shots through the opening 12 holes before an incredible eagle on the 13th, playing his approach from off the pinecones to within a few feet of the flag. A birdie on 15 was then followed by three solid pars to finish.

There was little by way of emotion as the 35-year-old walked off the 18th. However, he later opened up on the key to his surge back into contention, and it centred around a conversation he had to have with himself.

"I just had to remind myself that I was playing well," said McIlroy. "I couldn't let two bad holes dictate the narrative of 16 good ones. I had to remind myself I was playing well.

"And I had to remind myself this morning not to push too hard and too early. I feel I have learned from my mistakes. Sometimes I have pushed too hard on the front nine and shot myself out of the tournament. And then everything clicked on the back nine."

Much of the build-up has been dominated by McIlroy's ambition to finally land a career Grand Slam. He arrived in Augusta in superb form, having last month.

However, McIlroy still faces a stiff challenge to notch his maiden green jacket. Between him and Rose is on seven under par after his 68, with world No.1 Scottie Scheffler currently six under with nine holes to play in his second round.

Shane Lowry was another star who blitzed his way up the leaderboard on Friday. The Irishman shot a 68 to move to five under par, just one behind McIlroy with the weekend shaping up for an epic two final rounds at Augusta.