Irish Open: Rory McIlroy in prime position following second round at Royal County Down

Rory McIlroy on the 18th hole during day two of the Amgen Irish Open 2024
-Credit: (Image: Ross Kinnaird/Getty Images)


Rory McIlroy remains bang in contention at the Irish Open following Friday's second round at Royal County Down. The Holywood golfer shot a one-under-par round of 70 to reach the halfway stage on -4.

It saw McIlroy climb up to second spot on the leaderboard, one shot behind clubhouse leader Laurie Canter (-5).

It has been an encouraging start for McIlroy who would love nothing more than earning a hugely popular win on home soil.

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The 35-year-old was cheered on by a massive support during his opening two rounds, and the atmosphere is only set to ramp up a level or two on Saturday and Sunday.

While McIlroy's second round of one-under-par was solid golf, it could have been much better for the Holywood native.

A number of putts either slipped wide or came up short, while one lipped the hole.

McIlroy started his second round at the 10th and endured a slow start, parring his opening four holes.

He then dropped a shot at the Par 3 14th but made up for it at the next, sinking a birdie three at the Par 4 15th.

He was level for the day as he reached the turn after parring 16, 17 and 18, his putter letting McIlroy down as he left a few shots on the greens.

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McIlroy moved to within three of leader Alejandro Del Rey with an eagle at the first hole.

It should have been better for the Holywood native at the second, but his birdie putt lipped out.

Pars followed at the third and fourth, but McIlroy dropped a shot at the Par 4 fifth after finding the bunker from his tee shot. He had to hit out sideways before sending in a decent approach shot which offered him a par-saving putt, but it fell short.

An erratic approach shot saw McIlroy's ball skid off the green at the sixth role - his 15th for the day - but he still made par, and another followed at the next as the Ulsterman just missed with a birdie putt which would have taken him to joint leader of the tournament after Alejandro Del Rey quadruple bogeyed the 15th.

There was more frustration for McIlroy on the seventh hole as another birdie putt fell short, with audible groans puncturing the County Down air from the huge support following him.

McIlroy parred the eighth and completed his round with another solid par on the last to finish on -1 for the day, and -4 for the tournament.

It puts the Northern Ireland man in prime position with two rounds remaining, with a number of players still to play their second rounds in the afternoon.

Meanwhile, Tom McKibbin - who shot +3 on Thursday - sank a brilliant putt on the last to finish -2 for the round, and reach the halfway stage on one-over-par, the projected cut line.

Shane Lowry had a better day on Friday with a round of two-under-par to leave him one-under for the tournament, but the Offaly man has plenty of work to do.

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