McIlroy Vows to Stay Aggressive with Historic Lead at The Masters

Rory McIlroy is determined to maintain his aggressive approach as he defends his title at The Masters, following a spectacular second-round performance that has given him a record lead. The Northern Irishman carded a 65 on Friday, reaching 12 under par after 36 holes and opening up a six-shot advantage over Americans Sam Burns and Patrick Reed. McIlroy's impressive display comes a year after he completed his career Grand Slam at Augusta National, ending an 11-year wait for his fifth major title. When asked what advice he would give himself based on his experience at the 2011 US Open, McIlroy said, 'Don't protect it, go out and play freely, keep swinging.' He aims to draw on the lessons from his first major triumph, where he led by six shots at the halfway stage and went on to win by eight shots. McIlroy has built his lead through one of the most efficient performances of his career, repeatedly recovering from trouble over the opening two rounds. His ability to make birdies despite missing fairways has been a key factor, and he hopes that his playing partner, 18-year-old Mason Howell, has learned from his efficiency. McIlroy feels more relaxed at this year's event, having overcome the pressure of completing a career Grand Slam. He believes that having already won at Augusta has given him a sense of freedom, saying, 'I feel like I'm playing with the house's money, which is a nice feeling to have.'