Rory McIlroy: Victory at The Open ‘not out of my hands’ despite being nine behind leader Brian Harman | Golf News

Rory McIlroy nine strokes behind clubhouse leader Brian Harman after rounds of 71 and 70 at The 151st Open; McIlroy is chasing a fifth major title and first since 2014; Watch live on Sky Sports Golf all weekend

Rory McIlroy believes he still has a good chance of ending his nine-year drought at the 151st Open despite falling nine strokes short of the halfway lead at Royal Liverpool.

The four-time major champion, who won the Claret Jug when the Open was last held at Royal Liverpool in 2014, combined for three birdies with two bogeys to card a second-round 70 to advance to the tournament.

Following his success at the Genesis Scottish Open on Sunday, McIlroy, chasing a second win in as many weeks, is happy with his half position despite being well behind former world No. 1 Clubhouse leader Brian Harman.

A month after lifting the Claret Jug at Hoylake, Rory McIlroy’s last major victory came at the 2014 PGA Championship.

McIlroy said, “I’ll probably get back to ninth, but I don’t think there will be a lot of players between me and the lead going into the weekend.” “Depends on what the conditions are tomorrow. Obviously it depends on Brian [Harman] Does it too.

“It’s not completely out of my hands right now, but at the same time, I think if I can get three, four or five under par tomorrow before Sunday, I’ll have a really good chance.”

McIlroy played alongside Jon Rahm (left) and Justin Rose (middle), sitting on two overs and six overs, respectively.

McIlroy got off to a dream start with a 12-foot birdie at the first, but missed a chance from inside five feet in the third, then got up and down from a greenside bunker to take advantage of the par-five fifth.

The 34-year-old took advantage when his wild chip hit the pin for a par on the ninth, leaving him tied for 33rd, but bogeyed the 11th and missed another birdie chance from eight feet inside. failed to convert. next…

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Rory McIlroy got a big break in the ninth as he saw a heavy pitch from the rough saved by Flagg.

McIlroy made an impressive par-save on the 14th and recovered from bogey on the next par-five by rolling 10 feet to avoid dropping a shot on the 17th, then recovered from a foul drive on the par-five 18th tee-to-lay . Line up and finish with an eight-foot birdie.

“Important, definitely important to me,” McIlroy said of birdieing the final hole. “I got off to a great start. Had a double under nine, then two … kind of … birdies on easy holes 11 and 15. But at least it was good to get one of those back there on 18 .

“Played it hard. Played it really, really hard – 10 under par [from Brian Harman] Incredibly impressive there. We’ll see what happens over the weekend, but after two days I’m really happy with my two days of work.”

Harman set the clubhouse goal after carding an eagle and four birdies in a sensational six-under 65, the American looks set to take a commanding lead into the weekend as he chases a first major title and first PGA Tour success since 2017 doing.

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Brian Harman says he enjoys playing The Open after carding an impressive second round 65 at Royal Liverpool.

“Brian [Harman] McIlroy said, “He’s a very laid-back, laid-back kind of guy, so I think he’ll be fine.” “Yeah, he’s playing very well.

“He’s been doing some good work with Justin Parsons, and yeah, he’s been up there on the leaderboard the last few weeks. I think, he was up there last week as well.

“I don’t know him that much, but apparently I’ve played with him a little [PGA] Tour, and I think his ball flight and the way he plays the game definitely suits this style of golf.”

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