McIlroy Ties 10th, Eyes Open Championship Win at Royal Portrush

Rory McIlroy, playing at Royal Portrush in the 2025 Open Championship, is excited and optimistic about his chances as he heads into the weekend rounds, having improved on his 2019 performance when he missed the cut. After shooting a solid 2-under 69 in the second round, McIlroy sits at 3-under 139, tied around 10th place, five shots behind early leader Brian Harman. Despite some struggles with his driver, McIlroy has found better control and is energized by the support of the home crowd, feeling his game is good enough to make a strong run for the Claret Jug. He expressed gratitude for the opportunity to compete in front of his home fans, reflecting on how much the atmosphere and his own growth as a player have changed since 2019. McIlroy stressed the importance of having everything firing over the weekend to contend and is motivated by the chance to win at Royal Portrush, a venue where he has fond memories and significant experience. The Northern Irishman remains focused on improving his position and appreciates the strong fan support that adds pressure but also drives his performance.