Rory still figuring out the front nine
Rory McIlroy just about managed to make the cut at the Players Championship on Friday thanks to an excellent fightback on the back nine.
Having posted a solid two-under-par 70 at TPC Sawgrass on Thursday, the two-time major champion appeared to be well course to make the cut, but it was anything but easy.
He was all over the show on the front nine as he carded four bogeys and a double bogey at the par-four sixth over five holes to go out in 42.
However, he upped his game on the back nine with four birdies helping him to finish with a two-over 72, which left him level for the tournament and 12 strokes behind second-round leader Martin Kaymer.
“It’s funny, I feel very comfortable on the back nine here,” McIlroy told the official PGATour website. “If I could only just figure out the front nine, I would be okay. But yeah, I mean, I just got off to an awful start again. Seems like Friday afternoons aren’t really when I want to play.
“I battled back well. My attitude probably cost me a couple of shots on the front nine, but on the back nine I was able to regroup and stay patient and knew that there was some birdies out there, and it was nice to birdie the last just to make it into the weekend.”
Latest
-
NewsHome favourite Thriston Lawrence survives late scare to win South African Open
The South African beat Clement Sordet by one stroke.
-
NewsAdrian Meronk wins Australian Open as playing partner Adam Scott misses out
Home favourite Scott held a one-shot lead going into the final round at Victoria GC but Meronk shot 66 to win by five strokes.
-
NewsPoland’s Adrian Meronk eclipses Adam Scott to win Australian Open
Despite taking the lead into Sunday, Scott was ultimately unable to repel Meronk’s challenge.
-
NewsThriston Lawrence and Clement Sordet set for final-day battle at South African Open
Thriston Lawrence leads his playing partner by two shots.
-
European TourAdam Scott leads Australian Open ahead of Adrian Meronk
Scott moved to 11 under on Saturday, one stroke better than Meronk at the summit.
-
European TourAdam Scott equals course record to share halfway lead at Australian Open
Scott carded five birdies and an eagle on the 18th at Victoria Golf Club.
-
European TourHole-in-one helps Tom McKibbin make strong start in South Africa
The 19-year-old holed out with a five iron from 232 yards on the 11th hole.
-
NewsA nice birdie-fest – Tiger Woods expecting low scoring Hero World Challenge
Woods withdrew on Monday due to plantar fasciitis in his right foot.
-
NewsAdam Scott relishing chance to experience a career first at the Australian Open
The tournament sees men, women and golfers with disabilities competing on the same course at the same time.
-
NewsTiger Woods backs up Rory McIlroy and says LIV Golf boss Greg Norman ‘has to go’
Woods called McIlroy a ‘true leader’ as he spoke out about the Saudi-funded breakaway.