Blake Davis
After a relatively quiet 65 on Thursday – his first bogey-free opening round at a major in a decade – Rory McIlroy faced plenty of adversity on Friday in the second round of the 2024 US Open. for most of the day, the four-time major champion effectively navigated around Pinehurst No. 2 en route to a 2-over 72 to sit at 3-under through 36 holes.
McIlroy remains firmly in the championship conversation heading into the weekend, one shot behind the club lead as of midday Friday – and two behind where he started the day.
Once again brilliant off the tee, splitting 13 of the 14 fairways with a variety of shots and shapes, Rory’s sharpness and creativity was a little lacking as he approached the greens. This began immediately when McIlroy was on the fairway on his second hole of the round, the par-4 11th, and pulled his wedge shot 150 yards left of the green, leading to his first missed shot of the week.
He remained disciplined over the next few holes, however, giving himself plenty of chances in that 30-foot range; unfortunately, he was unable to cash them. McIlroy’s tee shot on the devilish par-3 15th fell short of the false front protecting the pin and led to his second bogey when he failed to convert his par save from 10 feet.
A third square on the scoreboard seemed all but certain on the next par-3 No. 17 when McIlroy found the green in regulation only to put his birdie attempt completely off the green. Of course, he then scored par to remain at 3 under for the championship.
The 35-year-old got a putt back on the par-4 second courtesy of his best iron shot of the day, landing within 6 feet of the pin. From there, McIlroy had a ride on the par train – some better than others – including a good save on the par-5 5th that drew a punch. It was a particular success, as playing partners Xander Schauffele and Scottie Scheffler walked off the green with two bogeys on their cards.
The idea of jumping in with a birdie on the par-3 9th was a possibility as it was playing as one of the few holes under par on Friday morning. Unfortunately for McIlroy, instead of a birdie chance, another bogey came when his tee shot missed and hit the greenside bunker. Doing well by hitting his second to within 15 feet, the 2011 champion was unable to save par and instead capitalized on bogey and his 72.
While an over-par round might not jump off the page, McIlroy’s effort was close to the field average. Notably without some of the sensations from Thursday’s first roundthe Northern Irishman resisted and put together a round that kept him tied for this championship with 36 holes to go.
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