Record-breaking McIlroy plans to keep 'foot on gas'

Record-breaking McIlroy plans to keep 'foot on gas'To play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser.This video can not be playedMedia caption, 'Astounding' McIlroy birdies six of last seven to hold record Masters leadByMatt GaultBBC Sport NI senior journalistPublished9 hours ago27 CommentsDefending champion Rory McIlroy says he plans to keep his "foot on the gas" after building a record six-shot halfway lead with a devastating second-round 65 at the Masters. Sharing the overnight lead with Sam Burns, Northern Ireland's McIlroy made a hat-trick of birdies from the second hole to open up a three-shot advantage before bogeys at the fifth and 10th gave the chasing pack renewed hope. But the world number two surged clear of the field down Augusta National's iconic closing stretch. Birdies on six of his last seven holes, including a sensational chip-in on the 17th, took him to 12 under par. The seven under par round opened a huge lead over Americans Burns and Patrick Reed, with Ryder Cup team-mates Justin Rose, Tommy Fleetwood and Shane Lowry a shot further back. "I've built up a nice cushion at this point. I guess my mindset is just trying to keep playing well and keeping my foot on the gas," said the 36-year-old, who will head out alongside Burns in the final pairing at 19:50 BST on Saturday. "There are so many different ways to skin a cat. I've shot 12 under par for the first two rounds here. I've played well, I've hit good shots, but it hasn't all been amazing. "I've relied on my short game when I've needed it, and I've certainly hit enough good wedges into those par fives to build the score that I have."Magical 90 minutes tightens McIlroy's grip on the MastersPublished9 hours agoRelive record-setting McIlroy's romp to move six clear halfway through Masters No plans to merely 'protect lead'McIlroy, who is hoping to become just th...