Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
PACK YOUR BAGS, RORY
Mcilroy misses the cut but takes heart from four birdies in last six holes
RORY MCILROY reckons his late rally shows he is on the right track despite missing the US Open cut.
The world No.2 headed a stellar list of big-name casualties leaving at the halfway stage, including Jason Day, Bubba Watson and Henrik Stenson. Former Masters champion Danny Willett is also heading home after withdrawing with a back injury after firing a horror 81 in his first round. But Mcilroy’s early departure was the big shock of the week, as he admitted lack of competitive action contributed to his lacklustre show in his comeback tournament after a monthlong lay-off with a rib injury. He took heart from the strong defiant finish as he dug deep to grind out four birdies in his last six holes to rescue a one under par round of 71. Mcilroy, still well off the pace on five over par, said: “I can take confidence from the way I finished. I started to let it go a bit on the back nine today then I showed what I can do. “I birdied four of the last six. I probably could have birdied all the last six. It didn’t matter at that point because I was so far from the cut line – but at least I know it’s in there. “It’s just a matter of getting it out of me and getting myself in the right frame of mind. “On Thursday, coming off an injury, I was a little anxious going out there. I got off to a good start, but it sort of caught up with me as the round went on. “But I think the more rounds I can play, I’m hopefully going to get rid of all that stuff and hopefully strip it down to what you saw the last six holes. “I’m hungry, but I’m not going to force it. I’m going to let it happen. I’m going to play. “The worst thing I can do is go and force it, because that’s not my game. I have to let it come to me a bit and I know if I go out and play the golf I’m capable of, good things should happen. “I feel like it’s in there. I’m optimistic with where my game is. Some of where my game is. “Hopefully I’ve got a lot of the bad stuff out of my system yesterday and some parts today. And again, it’s just a matter of getting competitive rounds under my belt. “I’ve got a busy summer ahead, a nice run leading up to The Open championship and I feel that’s going to help me to get back into contention – and hopefully try to win some of these things.”