McIlroy’s Driving Prowess and Putting Challenges

By Lewis Hartnell · Senior Football Correspondent · 18.07.2026

By Lewis Hartnell — 17 July 2026 — 3 min read

McIlroy’s Driving Prowess and Putting Challenges

Rory McIlroy is prepared to utilise his driver extensively at Royal Birkdale as he aims to re-enter contention at The 154th Open. Following an opening round of 72, McIlroy posted a three-under 67 in favourable conditions on Friday. This round included four birdies and a single bogey, placing him seven strokes behind the clubhouse leader, Lucas Herbert.

McIlroy’s performance off the tee has been notable, with his driver producing a distinctive sound. On the 414-yard par-four 9th hole, he drove the green, with the ball travelling 403 yards to within 11 feet of the hole. Despite this impressive drive, he settled for a birdie, as his putt was described as tentative. He acknowledged that opportunities sometimes arise that must be seized.

His driving has been a consistent strength over the first two days, and he intends to continue using his driver aggressively when possible. McIlroy believes his comfort with the driver offers a significant advantage, allowing him to position the ball effectively and avoid fairway bunkers. He aims to be selective in his aggressive plays, choosing the right moments to deploy the driver.

Struggles on the Greens and Tournament Outlook

Despite an improved display with the putter on day two compared to day one, McIlroy expressed continued discomfort with the greens at Birkdale. On the opening day, he ranked 155th out of 156 players in the field for putting on the greens. He noted that while his putting was somewhat better on Friday, he still did not feel entirely comfortable.

McIlroy mentioned that he is still trying to understand the greens, having found them tricky, especially with certain pin positions. He recalled hitting putts on Thursday that he felt were well-struck, but they behaved unexpectedly based on his reads, which he found unnerving. He seeks to build trust and commitment in his putting as the tournament progresses.

Reflecting on his second round, McIlroy felt he could have performed better, especially after seeing other players like Herbert and Sam Burns record 62s. He acknowledged leaving some opportunities on the course. His primary objective was to ensure he made it to the weekend, which he achieved.

Looking ahead to day three, McIlroy believes a strong start could put him in a competitive position. He noted that some players at the top of the leaderboard might be experiencing their first time leading a major championship on a weekend, while others like Cam Young and Burns are more experienced. He aims to be four or five under for the tournament to be in contention.

McIlroy’s playing partner, Matt Fitzpatrick, did not fare as well, missing the cut after finishing at four over. Fitzpatrick expressed confusion regarding his performance, citing instances where well-executed shots resulted in unfavourable outcomes, attributing it to the unpredictable nature of links golf, particularly on firm courses.

Paul McGinley of Sky Sports Golf commented that McIlroy has shown brilliance in his driving despite some mistakes, giving himself numerous chances. He noted that while McIlroy’s iron play has not been particularly strong and his putting has been inconsistent, being under par keeps him in the mix in a condensed leaderboard.

Coverage of the third round of The Open is scheduled to begin at 9am on Saturday on Sky Sports Golf, with full coverage starting at 11am.

Source: theguardian.com

Lewis Hartnell

Senior Football Correspondent

As News GB's Senior Football Correspondent, Lewis Hartnell reports on the Premier League, the EFL and the England national side for readers across the country. He reported on south-coast football for a regional title. He holds a degree in Sports Journalism from Solent University and completed an NCTJ diploma. Lewis lives in Southampton, where he watches youth football and follows the transfer market. “The week's training ground decides the weekend's headlines.”