McIlroy's Masters, Round 2: Rory rallies for 1-under 71 after front-9 40

The good news or the bad? 

OK, the good: Rory McIlroy shaved nine strokes off his score from front nine to back.

And the bad: he shot a 40 on the front. 

McIlroy battled after a brutal start to his Friday round, scratching down four birdies, a bogey and an eagle in a scramble to match his opening-round 71 and survive the cut at the 79th Masters. 

He is 12 shots off the lead in a tie for 19th with Tiger Woods at 2-under, but will be there on Sunday. 

Just barely.