'Tough day' for Rory McIlroy as he hangs on at the Masters

Rory McIlroy shot a birdie-free 77 on a brutally difficult Friday at Augusta National.

Rory McIlroy, of Northern Ireland, watches his tee shot on the seventh hole during second round at the Masters. Picture: AP Photo/Matt Slocum

It was the kind of day that prompted past Masters champion Zach Johnson to shout profanities from the middle of Amen Corner. Rory McIlroy was probably thinking similar thoughts if not vocalizing them.

As McIlroy tumbled further away from any reasonable hope of winning a green jacket this year, he avoided falling completely out of the weekend with a birdie-free 77 on a brutally difficult Friday at Augusta National.