McIlroy in contention to win as host of Irish Open
Rory McIlroy had missed the cut in each of his last three starts in the Irish Open. Now, the world No. 3 is in good position to win it as the tournament host.
McIlroy finished off a 2-under 70 on Friday at The K Club, getting to 7-under 137 through two rounds.
“It’s very nice to make the weekend. I usually don’t stand up here after a second day and say that I’m relieved to make the cut,” McIlroy said. “Obviously more excited that I’m in with a chane to win the golf tournament.”
This is the first time McIlroy has made the Irish Open cut since 2012. In his first year as tournament host in 2015, McIlroy shot 80-71 in difficult conditions at Royal County Down to miss the cut.
McIlroy played alongside Masters champion Danny Willett for the opening two rounds. Willett beat McIlroy by a shot for 36 holes, co-leading the tournament through the morning wave on Friday with Scot Marc Warren.
The Ulsterman had been getting frustrated in the round, which began on the 10th hole, as he was unable to capitalize on his excellent tee-to-green game. However, a 20-foot birdie putt on the ninth, his finishing hole, improved his outlook going into the weekend.
“It changed my mood a little bit,” McIlroy said. “I was getting frustrated a little bit, especially at the end of my round. I felt like I was giving myself chances and I wasn’t converting, and anytime I did make a mistake I wasn’t saving par. To hole that birdie putt at the last was nice. It gives me a little bit of momentum going into the weekend.
“I’m making enough birdies. The birdies are there. I just need to limit the mistakes.”
Ryan Ballengee is a Yahoo Sports contributor. Find him on Facebook and Twitter.
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