McIlroy targets aggressive play with driver at Roy...

By Daniel Forsythe — 17 July 2026 — 3 min read

McIlroy’s Performance at Royal Birkdale

Rory McIlroy is looking to leverage his driving prowess at Royal Birkdale as he aims to improve his position at The 154th Open. Following an opening round of 72, McIlroy posted a three-under 67 in the second round, which included four birdies and a single bogey. This performance leaves him seven strokes behind clubhouse leader Lucas Herbert.

McIlroy’s second round saw him make a strong move on the front nine, with birdies on the eighth and ninth holes. He drove the par-four ninth green, two-putting from 10 feet for a birdie, and added another birdie on the par-five 14th, bringing him under par for the tournament. Despite an improved putting display compared to the first day, where he ranked 148th out of 156 players, McIlroy expressed some frustration at not being closer to the lead, especially given the day’s record-equalling scores, including two 62s from Herbert and Sam Burns.

His driving has been a notable strength, with McIlroy driving the par-four ninth green in both the first two rounds. He intends to continue this aggressive approach, stating that he will use his driver whenever possible to gain an advantage and avoid fairway bunkers. This strategy is part of his plan to secure a strong start in the upcoming round and move further up the leaderboard.

Rory McIlroy walks to the 8th tee — Rory McIlroy had a mixed second day at the Open but is not out of contention.Photograph: Charlie Crowhurst/R&A/Getty Images Credit: theguardian.com

Challenges on the Greens

Despite his powerful driving, McIlroy has faced difficulties with the greens at Royal Birkdale. On the first day, he lost three strokes to the field and ranked 155th out of 156 players in strokes gained putting. While his putting improved slightly on the second day, he admitted to still feeling uncomfortable with the greens and is working to adapt to their unique challenges.

McIlroy sought advice from putting coach Brad Faxon before his second round, but acknowledged that more work is needed. He described instances where putts did not behave as expected based on his reads, which he found unsettling. The pin positions have also contributed to the difficulty, with some being particularly tricky.

His playing partner, Matt Fitzpatrick, also struggled with the course conditions, missing the cut after finishing at four over. Fitzpatrick expressed confusion over some of his shots, noting that even well-struck balls resulted in unexpected outcomes due to the firm links golf conditions, which he attributed to an element of luck.

Rory McIlroy putts on the 9th. He drove the green but had to settle for a birdie.Photograph: Adam Vaughan/EPA Credit: theguardian.com

Looking Ahead to the Weekend

McIlroy’s primary objective for the second round was to make the cut, which he achieved. He believes that if he can start the next round well and reach four or five under for the tournament, he will be in contention. He noted that while some experienced players like Cam Young and Sam Burns are near the top of the leaderboard, several others will be experiencing playing in the lead at a major championship for the first time on a weekend.

His game has been described as having moments of brilliance, particularly with his driving, despite some inconsistencies in his iron play and putting. The leaderboard is considered condensed, and there is a sense that the leader, Herbert, may face pressure. McIlroy remains optimistic about his chances, believing that being under par keeps him in the mix for the title.