It began with a dart -- a stretch that could ultimately redefine McIlroy's week and erase a horrendous 30-minute window Thursday evening where he carded two double bogeys that moved the 35-year-old from 4 under to even par, from flawless to flawed. From the first page of the leaderboard to among the masses on page Nos. 3.

After finishing Thursday with two double bogeys in final four holes, McIlroy returned to play the round of the day Friday,