World number three Rory McIlroy says he’s still in a great position going into the weekend at the 2024 US Open despite going backwards on day two of the third men’s major of the year.
McIlroy, 35, added a second round of two-over 72 to his opening 65 at Pinehurst No.2 to lie a shot off the clubhouse lead.
His playing partner, world number one Scottie Scheffler, faced an anxious wait to see if he was going to miss his first cut since August 2022.
The Masters champion failed to record a single birdie on Friday and slumped to a second round of 74, leaving him on six-over.
Classic one-putt by Rory. pic.twitter.com/QszrIci7De
— U.S. Open (@usopengolf) June 14, 2024
McIlroy said on Thursday evening he hoped to exploit the anticipated good scoring conditions, given there was cloud cover forecast.
But instead he endured a trying morning with a round of golf that had a bit of everything.
The sublime, and the ridiculous.
A highlight of McIlroy’s round came at the par-3 17th.
His birdie putt rolled off the green, but he promptly chipped in for an unorthodox par.
“Overall I felt like I did a pretty good job at keeping some of the mistakes off the scorecard. I wish I had converted a couple more of the chances,” McIlroy told reporters.
“I hit the ball pretty well. I think only missed one fairway. So I had plenty of opportunities.
“[I] wasn’t quite as good with the putter today. Still overall in a great position going into the weekend.”
“I don’t like seeing where other guys are hitting it”
McIlroy also told reporters yesterday he didn’t watch any coverage of the tournament before playing his first round.
He believes it messes with his head somewhat.
Asked to explain why, McIlroy said: “I don’t like seeing where other guys are hitting it.
“I particularly don’t like when I can watch people hit putts on greens because then, whenever I have a similar putt on the golf course, I’m going off the memory of what I think I saw on TV instead of seeing it with my own eyes.
“I’d rather just not have that option at all.
“I mean, this afternoon I’ll probably tune in a little bit and watch.
“But yeah, before I go out to play, I’ve learned the hard way at times that I don’t need to be watching on the TV.”
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