His phenomenal run concluded with an eagle-birdie finish, capping a scoring blitz with a twinkle-toed 69 that propelled him into the final group at 9-under 133. The Northern Irishman’s work was a masterpiece, featuring eight birdies, all from outside seven feet. His ability to save himself when he missed fairways was impressive. He only hit eight of the 14 fairways on the day.
McIlroy started the day 3 shots behind the leader, Scottie Scheffler. Scheffler didn’t flinch, closing with an assault on the easy-to-reach par-5 8th, for an overall 10-under 132. Despite the challenging weather conditions at Royal Portrush, Scheffler made eight birdies, narrowly missing a 15-foot attempt on the 18th hole that stopped mere inches short of falling.
The scene at Royal Portrush was electric, as home hero McIlroy enjoyed a raucous homecoming. What he didn’t hear was a whole lot of applause encouraging him. Not enough roars of approval roared back, underscoring the mixed reviews of his performance. His final hole featured a crucial 25-foot par putt that he successfully holed, helping him maintain his competitive edge going into the weekend.
Brian Harman was unstoppable in the 2nd Round. He shot 68 and played bogey-free to remain within striking distance of the leaders. When that was all said and done, he was still seven shots back of Scheffler’s commanding lead. Harman’s approach to the golf course reflected a deep understanding of the game’s demands, as he commented on the challenges faced by players under pressure.
“They’re very different golf courses, but the golf is similar. You’ve got to be able to flight your golf ball. You’ve got to know how far everything’s going. Then you can’t get frustrated,” – Brian Harman
Matt Fitzpatrick, another competitor in the tournament, acknowledged Scheffler’s exceptional talent and the expectations that come with being the world number one.
“He’s going to have the expectation to go out and dominate. He’s an exceptional player. He’s world No. 1, and we’re seeing Tiger-like stuff,” – Matt Fitzpatrick
Fitzpatrick additionally opened up about his own perspective as he fights for a belt in front of a hometown crowd.
“I think the pressure is for him to win the golf tournament. For me, obviously I hope I’m going to have some more home support than him, but it’s an exciting position for me to be in given where I was earlier this year,” – Matt Fitzpatrick
As the tournament unfolds, McIlroy’s skillful play keeps him in contention while Scheffler’s consistent performance places him as the player to beat. With the weekend approaching, all eyes will be on these leading players as they navigate the challenges of Royal Portrush and vie for the coveted claret jug.
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