Patience pays off for Rory McIlroy at The Masters

Photo by David Cannon/Getty Images

One day after a pair of disasters, Rory McIlroy relied on his patience to soar back into contention.

AUGUSTA, Ga. — The world watched Rory McIlroy chip his third shot into the water on Thursday afternoon. Then everyone saw him make a pair of unforced errors two holes later on the 17th, turning a marvelous round into a disappointing one. Some figured he threw the tournament away, eliminating his chance of completing the Grand Slam altogether... again.