McIlroy’s Aggressive Approach
Rory McIlroy has been employing an aggressive strategy at Royal Birkdale, frequently utilising his driver to gain an advantage. This approach was evident on the par-four 9th hole, which measures 414 yards. On Friday, McIlroy drove the green, landing his ball within 11 feet of the hole after a 403-yard shot. He noted that while his initial plan was to hit to the top of the hill and use a wedge, opportunities sometimes arise that he feels compelled to seize.
Despite his powerful driving, McIlroy’s putting has presented challenges. On the 9th, he secured a birdie rather than an eagle, a result he described as a microcosm of his round. He acknowledged missing several birdie chances from distances between 10 and 20 feet. This led to a round of 67, three under par, leaving him to consider what might have been, especially with other players like Lucas Herbert and Sam Burns achieving record-equalling scores of 62.
McIlroy’s driving has been a consistent strength over the first two days of the tournament. He aims to continue using his driver aggressively when possible, believing it provides a significant advantage by allowing him to position the ball effectively and avoid fairway bunkers. This strategy is part of his effort to force his way back into contention for the Open title.
Putting Woes and Adjustments
McIlroy’s putting performance has been a notable concern. On the opening day, he ranked 155th out of 156 players in strokes gained, losing three strokes to the field. Although his putting showed some improvement on Friday, he still expressed discomfort with the greens at Royal Birkdale. He consulted putting coach Brad Faxon before his second round, but admitted that more work is needed to fully adapt to the course’s unique challenges.
He described feeling unnerved by putts that did not follow his read, suggesting the pin positions have made the greens particularly difficult. Despite these struggles, McIlroy’s second round was better than his first, which was a 72. He is currently one under par going into the third day of the tournament. He believes that if he can start well on Saturday and reach four or five under par for the tournament, he will be in a strong position.
McIlroy’s playing partner, Matt Fitzpatrick, also faced difficulties, missing the cut after finishing four over par. Fitzpatrick expressed frustration, noting instances where his shots did not yield expected results, attributing some of this to the nature of links golf when the course is firm, leading to unpredictable bounces and lies.
Looking Ahead to the Weekend
McIlroy’s primary objective for Friday was to ensure he made the cut for the weekend, which he achieved. He currently sits seven strokes behind clubhouse leader Lucas Herbert. While acknowledging the strong performances of other players, McIlroy remains optimistic about his chances. He pointed out that some players at the top of the leaderboard are experiencing their first time in the lead at a major championship on a weekend, which could create opportunities.
He specifically mentioned Cam Young and Sam Burns as experienced players at the top. McIlroy’s overall game has been described as having moments of brilliance, particularly with his driving, despite some inconsistencies in his iron play and putting. He has dropped seven shots over the first two days, but his ability to drive the ball exceptionally well continues to create chances for him on the course.
The 154th Open continues, with coverage of the third round scheduled to begin on Saturday from 9am.
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Source: theguardian.com
Daniel Fairbrother is the Senior Football Correspondent at Latest News UK, covering the Premier League, the EFL and the England national side with over a decade of reporting experience. He spent eight years on the football desk of a Yorkshire daily before moving into national coverage. He holds a degree in Sports Journalism from the University of Sunderland and completed an NCTJ diploma. Based in Leeds, he watches non-league football and runs a five-a-side league. “The best football stories are won in the week, not on the whistle.”