RORY: LIFE IS PERFECT ..BUT HIS GOLF ISN’T!

RORY MCILROY reckons he feels like the bloke who has it all.

The golfing superstar has a good case, too, considering he has millions in the bank alongside four Major titles, a beautiful wife, 10-month old daughter, Poppy, an MBE, and luxurious homes around the world.

But there is still one thing even Mcilroy (chipping on the 7th green, above) hasn’t got this weekend – a genuine chance to win a second Open title to go with the one he claimed at Royal Liverpool back in 2014.

There was nothing regal about a second successive round of level-par 70 for Mcilroy, that left him way behind the leaders and just relieved to make the cut.

A birdie on the final hole made sure the Northern Irishman would be hanging around for the weekend, although his caddie Harry Diamond had to ask some members of the press if his employer had made it or not.

Mcilroy (right) is far too gifted to be doing a fine impression of an also-ran. No one knows this more than the man himself but, in his bid to keep some perspective, he gives off an aura of someone content with his lot, no matter what happens in the future. The 32-year-old said: “I felt a little nervous going to that 18th tee. I knew I needed a par at least – or birdie – to at least be comfortable.

“Right now, I’m just trying to play my own game and not even look at the board, just try to play a good solid round. It’s felt close, but it just hasn’t quite been close enough.

“But I’ve got four Majors and I’m the luckiest guy in the world. I get to do what I love for a living. I have a beautiful family. My life is absolutely perfect at the minute. I want for nothing, so it’s not a case of trying too hard, for sure.

“You want to play your best, but you go out and play golf, and you try to play as best you can, and that’s it.”

Mcilroy’s reaction to sinking a birdie putt on the final green summed up the sort of day he’d had. There was no fist pump or show of glee at seeing the ball drop.

While Cameron Smith cruised round Royal St George’s in an impressive 66 blows, including seven birdies, Mcilroy spluttered across the links struggling to get out of second gear.

He made the worst possible start with bogeys on the opening two holes. He hit back with birdies on the fourth and ninth to make the turn in 35, but more mediocrity was to follow as he headed for home.

He almost knocked the pin out on the 12th to leave a kick-in

birdie to take him under par for the tournament. But he failed to take advantage of the par-five 14th and, when he bogeyed the 16th and 17th, which included a missed putt from two feet, Mcilroy stood on the 18th tee knowing he was one bad swing from packing his suitcase.

While Colin Morikawa was gobbling up Sandwich,

Mcilroy isn’t even in contention. And, if some people are to be believed, not too bothered about the fact, either.

‘I want for nothing so it’s not a case of trying too hard that’s for sure’