'I Can't Believe I'm Five Back' - McIlroy Amazed To Remain In PGA Championship Hunt
The Northern Irishman has felt far from his best at Oak Hill but still has a chance of landing a third PGA Championship title
Rory McIlroy admitted his shock at still being in contention to lift the Wanamaker Trophy for the third time.
The Northern Irishman has been well below his best, both on the course and off, but once again displayed no shortage of grit on Friday at the PGA Championship to recover from two early bogeys to post a one-under 69 that has him within five heading into the weekend at Oak Hill.
"I think how terribly I've felt over the golf ball over the last two days, the fact that I'm only five back - not saying it could be up there with one of my best performances, but when I holed that putt at the last, I looked at the board, and I thought, 'I can't believe I'm five back'," McIlroy said.
"I guess that's a good thing because I know if I can get it in play off the tee, that's the key to my success over the weekend. If I can get the ball in play off the tee, I'll have a shot."
McIlroy has cut a frustrated figure so far at the second men's Major of the year. Not only has he been fighting illness, but he's also been attempting to beat one of the strongest fields in golf with one hand tied behind his back.
His driving, which was once his greatest weapon and allowed him to reduce formidable layouts to their knees, has deserted him of late. McIlroy continues to struggle with the dreaded two-way miss and it could hardly be more ill-timed at a venue that has been compared to Winged Foot and Bethpage Black.
He's been aiming left on most tees and trying to play a little cut, but suggested he may take a different approach on the weekend with nothing to lose and everything to gain as he attempts to hunt down Corey Conners, Scottie Scheffler and Viktor Hovland.
Get the Golf Monthly Newsletter
Subscribe to the Golf Monthly newsletter to stay up to date with all the latest tour news, equipment news, reviews, head-to-heads and buyer’s guides from our team of experienced experts.
"When I'm working on the range I hardly miss a shot, and then it's just trying to get it to go from the range to the golf course that I'm finding difficult," McIlroy added
"I think at this point I might just tee it high and just bomb it everywhere. I tried to hit that little cut off the tee on 16, and it nearly went OB. I hit my last two tee shots on 17 and 18 really hard, and they actually were really good tee shots.
"Every hole one side is sort of trouble and one side is not. As long as you're missing it in the right spots off the tees, I might as well just go for it and swing hard at it."
The good news for McIlroy is that should he improve off the tee, the rest of his game appears in fine fettle. He ranks fourth in approach play over the first two rounds and found form with his trusty putter on Friday in New York.
"It's half physical and half mental at this point, so I've just got to really trust and commit to what I'm doing."
A lifelong golf fan, Andy graduated in 2019 with a degree in Sports Journalism and got his first role in the industry as the Instruction Editor for National Club Golfer. From there, he decided to go freelance and now covers a variety of topics for Golf Monthly.
Andy took up the game at the age of seven and even harboured ambitions of a career in the professional ranks for a spell. That didn’t pan out, but he still enjoys his weekend golf at Royal Troon and holds a scratch handicap. As a side note, he's made five holes-in-one and could quite possibly be Retief Goosen’s biggest fan.
As well as the above, some of Andy's work has featured on websites such as goal.com, dailyrecord.co.uk, and theopen.com.
What's in Andy's bag?
Driver: Callaway Mavrik Sub-Zero (9°)
3-wood: TaylorMade Stealth 2 Plus (15°)
Driving iron: Titleist U500 (17°)
Irons: Mizuno mp32 (4-PW)
Wedges: Titleist Vokey SM9 (50°, 54° and 58°)
Putter: Titleist Scotty Cameron Newport 2.5
Ball: TaylorMade TP5x
-
Nelly Korda's Fifth Straight Win Helps NBC Record Most-Watched Chevron Championship In Over A Decade
There was a peak TV audience of almost two million on Sunday evening as Korda picked up the second Major of her career
By Jonny Leighfield Published
-
Ecco Biom C4 Shoe vs Ecco LT1 Shoe: Read Our Head-To-Head Verdict
How do two of the best shoes from Ecco stack up against each other? Find out in this head to head
By Dan Parker Published
-
Zurich Classic Of New Orleans Prize Money Payout 2024
Nick Hardy and Davis Riley defend their title at the team event as Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry also play
By Mike Hall Published
-
Former NFL Star Tony Romo Reveals 'Insane' Scottie Scheffler Stat After Playing 500 Rounds With World No.1
Tony Romo spoke highly of his good friend Scottie Scheffler, comparing him to Tiger Woods and Jack Nicklaus
By Joel Kulasingham Published
-
Rory McIlroy Set To Make Shock Return To PGA Tour Policy Board - Report
The World No.2 could be returning to the PGA Tour policy board as a player director once again after stepping down from the role last November
By Joel Kulasingham Published
-
How Much Money Has Scottie Scheffler's Caddie Won In 2024?
Ted Scott is earning some serious money this year as Scheffler continues to dominate the world of men's pro golf
By Jonny Leighfield Published
-
The Zurich Classic Of New Orleans Has A Unique Team Format - Here's How It Works
The Zurich Classic of New Orleans has a unique format, but how does the PGA Tour’s only team event work?
By Mike Hall Published
-
This Jaw-Dropping Stat Highlights Just How Far Scottie Scheffler Is Ahead Of The Field In 2024
Scottie Scheffler is in the kind of form not seen in the men's game since Tiger Woods was ruling the world
By Michael Weston Published
-
A Scheffler Shank! Watch The World No.1 Prove That He Is Human After All
Scottie Scheffler proved he is only human as he hit a shank out of a bunker at the RBC Heritage in his first round after winning The Masters
By Paul Higham Published
-
'Determined' Rory McIlroy Enjoying The Challenge Of Finding His Best Form Again
Despite another Masters disappointment, Rory McIlroy says he's enjoying the challenge of trying to find his best form again
By Paul Higham Published