McIlroy Advances in the Open Championship: “I’m Very Excited”
Rory McIlroy achieved one of his goals this Friday at Royal Portrush. Six years after missing the cut at the 2019 Open Championship in his home country, McIlroy carded a 69, two under par, in the second round. This secured him consecutive rounds under par and, most importantly, a place to play on the weekend.The stands were full on Friday, with the fans cheering and chanting McIlroy’s name, trying to push him up the leaderboard.“I didn’t have this opportunity six years ago. So to play two extra days in this atmosphere in front of this crowd, I’m very excited about that,” McIlroy commented.
Rory McIlroy
“I feel like I disappointed myself more than the fans,” McIlroy said about 2019. “It was hard to take. This time, I’ve gotten better. I know what I need to do to get the best out of myself in an environment like that.”
Rory McIlroy
The five-time major winner tried to please the thousands of fans who accompanied him on Friday, but his two birdies in the first nine holes were erased by two bogeys on holes three and five. McIlroy’s round stalled with six consecutive pars before his final charge: a birdie on the 12th hole, par 5, and another on the 14th, par 4, to reach 3 under par.
“I feel like my game is good enough to put up a good performance. I’ve been close to my best level in the first two days at times. I’ll need to have everything under control and working over the weekend to have options,” he added.
Rory McIlroy
Despite hitting only two fairways on Thursday, McIlroy managed to play under par. On Friday, his tee shots found the short grass seven times, a 50%, which allowed him to have better birdie opportunities.
So far this week, he has gained most of his strokes in his approach game (+3.14) and in putting (+2.43).In 2019, McIlroy couldn’t play the last two rounds, and Shane Lowry separated himself from the group with a 63 on Saturday. The crowd went wild for the Irishman as he headed towards his first major victory. This time, the galleries in Portrush this weekend will have the opportunity to support McIlroy.“I don’t know if you can ever flow. This golf course is very demanding. It’s visually intimidating from the tee,” McIlroy said. “You see the bunched-up nature of the leaderboard. It’s one of those places where you know the holes you have to par, the holes you have to birdie, and everyone has to play the golf course the same way. Everything becomes quite bunched up.”
Rory McIlroy
“It’s incredible to play in front of these fans. 20 years ago I played the North of Ireland here, and never in my wildest dreams did I think I would return as a Grand Slam champion with the support of a nation behind me trying to win an Open Championship. I feel very grateful and fortunate to be in this position, and I’m excited for the weekend,” he concluded.
Rory McIlroy
