Rory McIlroy

"The rain. I've started to just really enjoy this style of golf."

""It is a positive...""

"We've got to be careful with that because then these national opens lose the fabric of what they are."

"For the most part, I played well."

""too many stupid mistakes" prevented him from making a strong start."

""The two bogeys on the par-fives weren't great and I struggled the first two holes to get the speed of the greens.""

""Hopefully I can take advantage of the more benign conditions in the morning and shoot under par and get back in it.""

"performative and for attention"

"I'm so far away from where I need to be to even feel like I have a chance. I've just got to keep working and hope it turns around a little bit."

"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."

"Don't protect it. Go out and play freely, keep swinging."

"A big part of the lesson from the 2011 Masters to the 2011 US Open was don't get protective."

"That distraction is usually a good thing for me, especially with a late tee time and the lead."

"He told me 'no double bogeys'."

"I've always loved the tournament and loved this golf course, even when I felt it didn't love me back."

"I haven't panicked when I've hit it off line and into trees, I've layed up and relied on wedges and those scoring clubs."

"This course enables you to get on runs, although I certainly didn't imagine birdieing six of the last seven."

"McIlroy hits three birdies in a row to move into joint lead."

"I knew I had some chances coming in when I was standing on the 12th tee, but I didn’t think I’d birdie six of the last seven..."

"When I was standing on the 12th tee, I didn’t imagine that I would be six ahead going into the weekend."

"Standing on the 12th tee, I didn’t imagine being six shots ahead."

"I know what can happen around here, good and bad."

"That's a bonus."

""This course, it enables you to get on runs... you can just keep it rolling. This afternoon was one of those afternoons.""

"I knew I had some chances coming in when I was standing on the 12th tee, but I didn’t think I’d birdie six of the last seven."

"I know what can happen around here, good and bad."

"I knew it wouldn't be easy, the quality of the chasing pack is obvious."

"I will go to the range and figure it out. I still have a great chance, but if I am going to win I will have to play better."

"I will have to play better on Sunday if I am to defend my Masters title."

"I would have wanted to be in a better position going into tomorrow starting with a six-shot lead, but I still have a great chance."

"There's a lot of guys in with a chance tomorrow. I'm still tied for the best score going into tomorrow, so I can't forget that."

"There’s a lot of guys in with a chance tomorrow. I’m still tied for the best score going into tomorrow, so I can’t forget that."

"I'm not part of the discussions but I'm pretty sure they aren't going to be welcomed back straight away."