Portrush, Northern Ireland – Rory McILroy reached one of his objectives on Friday in Royal Portrush. Six years after missing the cup at the 2019 open championship in his country of origin, McILroy carded a 2-five of 69 in the second round to give him consecutive tricks and, above all, a time of T-shirt on the weekend.
“I did not have this opportunity six years ago,” said McILroy. “So, to play two additional days in this atmosphere in front of these crowds, I am very excited for that.”
Friday, the crowd was again in great strength as they applauded, chanted and tried to raise the ranking.
“I feel like I’m dropping more than I drop the fans,” said McILroy about 2019. “It was a difficult pill to swallow. This time I just improved. I know what I have to do to get the most out of me in an environment like that.”
The five -year -old major winner did his best to force the thousands of people next Friday, but his two birds on the first nine were erased by two botched bogeys on the third and fifth holes. The round of McILroy then stalled with six consecutive pars before making a final: a birdie on the 12th 12th and another on the 14th par-4 to reach 3 sous.
“I feel like my game is really good enough to run,” said McILroy. “I was a bit close to my best during the first two days in small pieces here and there.
Although he only struck two fairways on Thursday, McILroy was able to shoot. Friday, his starting blows found short herbs seven times, a rate of 50% which allowed him to obtain more specific looks at the Birdies.
So far this week, he has won most of his cerebral vascular accidents on his approach game (+3.14) and putting (+2,43).
“I don’t know if you can never sink. This golf course [course] is very demanding. He is quite visually intimidating the tee, “said McILroy.” You see the group grouped in the ranking. This is one of these places where you know the holes you have to make, you know the holes you have to be sneaky, and everyone must somehow play the golf course in the same way. Everything becomes quite group. “”
In 2019, McILroy could not play the last two laps, and Shane Lowry moved away from the field with a 63 on Saturday. The crowd rallied around the Irish as it was worth his first big victory. This time, Portrush galleries this weekend will also have the chance to join McILroy.
“It’s amazing to play in front of these fans,” said McILroy. “20 years ago that I played in the north of Ireland here, and never in my wildest dreams I thought that I will come back as a Grand Chelem champion with the support of a nation behind me while trying to win an open championship. I have very grateful and very lucky to be in this position, and I am excited for the weekend.”
