Three bogeys in a row and a double bogey on the back nine doomed Rory McIlroy's hopes of pushing the leaders Friday at the US Open, but he fancies his chances just the same.
World number two McIlroy fired a one-over par 71 to finish 36 holes on level par 140, seven behind leader Wyndham Clark entering the weekend at windy Shinnecock Hills.
"If there's a course where you feel like you still have a chance if you're seven back going into the weekend like I am, it's definitely this one," McIlroy said.
Blustery breezes, dense rough and tricky green speeds make the links-style layout difficult at the best of times and worse when winds gust.
"When you're chasing, it's sort of counterintuitive, but if I can limit my mistakes, I know everyone else in the field is going to make bogeys, so if I can pick off a few birdies here and there, hole a couple more 20-, 25-footers than other guys, that's really the strategy," McIlroy said.
World number two McIlroy fired a one-over par 71 to finish 36 holes on level par 140, seven behind leader Wyndham Clark entering the weekend at windy Shinnecock Hills.
"If there's a course where you feel like you still have a chance if you're seven back going into the weekend like I am, it's definitely this one," McIlroy said.
Blustery breezes, dense rough and tricky green speeds make the links-style layout difficult at the best of times and worse when winds gust.
"When you're chasing, it's sort of counterintuitive, but if I can limit my mistakes, I know everyone else in the field is going to make bogeys, so if I can pick off a few birdies here and there, hole a couple more 20-, 25-footers than other guys, that's really the strategy," McIlroy said.
5 months ago
