Rory McIlroy admits that staying in a relaxed frame of mind will be his biggest challenge over the weekend as he looks to land a second Amgen Irish Open title and deliver a local winner at Royal County Down.
Day two proved a steady day for McIlroy on a benign Friday morning but he did give the packed galleries a moment to saviour when a driver and 8-iron to the par-5 1st (his 10th) set up a 12-foot eagle putt which he holed.
McIlroy has treated the opening 36 holes alongside fellow Holywood man Tom McKibbin like another round with his mates and after moving to within one of the lead on four-under with a 70, he hopes to keep having fun despite more than likely playing with an unfamiliar face on Saturday.
“I always play my best when I’m having fun and staying relaxed. It’s easy with Tom, Harry on the bag, the three of us go back a long way. It’s easy to stay relaxed and have fun. It will probably be a little more difficult over the weekend to stay in that frame of mind but I know that’s the frame of mind I do need to stay in,” said the 35-year-old who missed the cut here in 2015.
“Much better than nine years ago when I was watching the third round on TV. Happy to be here for the weekend and happy to give myself a chance.”
Like Lowry, McIlroy endured a slow start on the back nine. He dropped a shot on the par-3 14th but recovered with a birdie on 15. A par on the par-5 18th did little for his momentum but he found a spark with a three at the first.
Driving into the fairway bunker on the 5th cost him a shot but he avoided any further damage coming in and his name sticks out like a sore thumb at the top of the leaderboard just behind Laurie Canter and Todd Clements.
“Probably a little disappointed with the first nine holes. Played in benign conditions and I didn’t feel like I took advantage of those conditions, and to only play the back nine in even par when I felt like I should have played it 2- or 3-under but played okay coming in,” he explained.
“The conditions got a little bit more difficult. The wind switched direction a little bit and the last few holes were playing straight back into the wind. Overall another under-par round and obviously in a good spot going into the weekend.”
Royal County Down can’t welcome bumper crowds through the gates due to the narrow landscape and the town of Newcastle and surrounding areas have been on the quieter side but the presence of McIlroy and Lowry towards the top of the leaderboard should tee up a carnival weekend at the foot of the Mourne Mountains.
“I’m excited to that that support. Had a decent chance at The K Club last year as well. I feel like I’m fortunate, I get great support everywhere I go. But when I come home, not far from where I grew up with a chance especially with a chance to win the tournament, I’m excited to play in that atmosphere over the weekend,” McIlroy added.
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