Rory McIlroy makes cut at Australian Open with three birdies in final four holes at Royal Melbourne
Rory McIlroy rallied to card three birdies in his last four holes to make the cut at the Australian Open at Royal Melbourne.
The Masters champion, who previously lifted the Stonehaven Cup in 2013, carded a composed three-under 68 in the second round, moving to two-under overall inside the cut line.
After a challenging opening round, McIlroy showed his trademark resilience, recovering to sit seven strokes adrift of joint leaders Daniel Rodrigues and Rasmus Neergaard-Petersen, both on nine-under.
The Northern Irishman, making his Australian Open return for the first time since 2014, started steadily with a birdie and eight pars on the front nine.
The back nine saw McIlroy maintain his momentum with four further pars before a stumble on the par-five 14th, where a bogey and a rare air shot threatened his progress. Undeterred, he responded with birdies at the 15th, 17th, and 18th, climbing the leaderboard and ensuring his participation over the weekend.
Conditions at Royal Melbourne improved considerably compared to the blustery crosswinds of the opening day, which McIlroy acknowledged in his post-round interview with Sky Sports.
“Opposite wind, coming out of the south so it definitely played like a different golf course, different clubs off tees,” McIlroy said.
“A few different options. It was great, the course is firming up. It's really making you think out there, especially with your approach shots.”
Reflecting on his round, the 36-year-old was pleased with his strong finish.
“Certainly not my best stuff out there the last few days but it was nice to finish the way I did,” he added. “It wasn't looking great after the bogey on 14, but overall, a great finish and delighted to be here for the weekend.”
McIlroy believes that a fast start in round three could see him challenge for a second Australian Open title. “Seven isn't too far back, I feel if I can go out there tomorrow morning and shoot a good one, I can get myself right back in the tournament,” he said.
Elsewhere, Scotland’s Cameron Adam impressed in just his second professional start, firing a superb 64 to move to one-under and make the cut. However, local favourite Jeff Guan, a two-time Australian amateur champion who plays with permanent blindness in his left eye, missed out on the weekend, finishing tied for 112th.