HOYLAKE, England — Rory McIlroy remains confident he can still "make a run" at The Open Championship despite trailing the leaders after two rounds at Royal Liverpool. The Northern Irishman, a four-time major champion, carded a second-round 70 to sit at 3-under par, five shots behind 36-hole leader Brian Harman.
McIlroy, who won The Open at Hoylake in 2014, acknowledged he could have been closer to the lead but insisted his position is still "decent." "I could be a couple closer to the lead, but I'm still in a decent position," McIlroy said. "I feel like if I can just get it going over the weekend, I can make a run at this thing."
McIlroy's Mixed Second Round
The 34-year-old started his second round with a birdie but struggled with consistency, mixing three birdies with three bogeys. His putting, in particular, was inconsistent—McIlroy needed 31 putts in his second round, compared to just 27 in his opening 71. "I left a few out there today," he admitted. "But I’m still right in the mix."
McIlroy’s driving, typically a strength, was solid—he hit 10 of 14 fairways—but his approach play lacked precision. He ranked outside the top 50 in greens in regulation (GIR) through two rounds, a stat he knows must improve. "I need to hit more greens," he said. "If I can tidy that up, I’ll give myself more chances and hopefully convert a few more."
The Challenge Ahead
With Harman leading at 10-under and a chasing pack including Tommy Fleetwood and Sepp Straka, McIlroy knows he needs a low round to close the gap. History suggests he’s capable—his 2014 Open win at Hoylake included a third-round 68 that propelled him into contention.
Key factors for McIlroy over the weekend:
- Putting improvement: He ranks 60th in strokes gained putting this week.
- Greens in regulation: Needs to hit more to sustain birdie opportunities.
- Mental resilience: McIlroy has struggled to close out majors since 2014 but remains optimistic.
Course Conditions
Royal Liverpool has played firm and fast, with tricky pin positions testing players’ precision. McIlroy believes the course will only get tougher. "The wind is supposed to pick up, and if it does, it’ll separate the field," he said. "I’ve won in tough conditions before, so I’m ready for whatever comes."
McIlroy’s Major Drought
The Open represents McIlroy’s latest chance to end a nine-year major drought. Since his 2014 PGA Championship win, he has had multiple close calls, including a runner-up finish at last year’s Open at St. Andrews. "I’ve been knocking on the door," he said. "It’s just a matter of staying patient and trusting my game."
His recent form suggests he’s in contention more often than not—McIlroy has six top-10 finishes in his last eight majors. However, critics point to his Sunday struggles, where final-round pressure has sometimes derailed his chances.
Final Thoughts
Despite the deficit, McIlroy remains one of the favorites. His experience, combined with his ability to go low on tough courses, keeps him in the conversation. "I know what it takes to win here," he said. "I just need to put it all together at the right time."
With two rounds remaining, McIlroy’s belief hasn’t wavered. "I’ve come from behind before," he said. "If I can get hot with the putter and keep driving it well, I like my chances." The golf world will be watching to see if he can mount another memorable Open charge.
