School drop, fly to Augusta, home for dinner: Rory McIlroy’s scouting trips pay off at Masters

• McIlroy skipped PGA Tour events to practise at Augusta

• Defending champion has six-shot lead after two rounds

Rory McIlroy has explained how scouting trips to Augusta National in the weeks leading up to the Masters have played a significant role in his domination of this staging of the major. McIlroy’s second round of 65 – which included six birdies in the closing seven holes – set a Masters record, with the defending champion the first man to lead the tournament by six at the halfway point.

Entering the Masters, it was assumed McIlroy’s three-week break from PGA Tour business was to conserve energy. Instead, he made smart use of his private jet as he looks to become just the fourth golfer to win back-to-back Masters titles.