McIlroy matches Sawgrass course record with 29 on back 9

A day after fellow Irishman Shane Lowry set a course record by carding a 29 on the back nine at TPC Sawgrass, Rory McIlroy matched his countryman's output with a 29 of his own Friday at The Players Championship.

Starting on the back, the World No. 3 birdied his first four holes of the day. Following a par on 14, McIlroy birdied 15 and drained a 53-footer on 16 for eagle before making par on 17 and 18 to complete the course record-tying 29.

The impressive showing improves McIlroy's career score on the back nine at TPC Sawgrass to -44.

McIlroy had an opportunity to make his day even more memorable. He was 9-under for the day heading to his finishing hole, the par-5 ninth. After laying up with his second shot, McIlroy's third missed left of the green and into the rough. He'd bogey the hole and settle for a round of 8-under 64.