McIlroy Proud Of Open Fightback

Northern Ireland’s Rory McIlroy says he is proud of his efforts at The Open at Royal Portrush despite missing the cut on Friday. The home favourite was visibly emotional as he received the adulation of the crowd on a course he knows so well at the 18th green after coming up short in his impressive recovery.

McIlroy ended day two with a 65, 14 shots less than his disastrous opening round, during which he dropped seven shots on the first and last holes combined. He played well on Friday to almost sneak into the weekend but, in the end, his first-round performance cost McIlroy dear. Despite the obvious disappointment, the four-time major winner tried to take the positives from his second 18 holes.

He told Sky Sports: “Disappointed not to be here for the weekend, but unbelievably proud of how I handled myself today, coming back after what was a very challenging day yesterday. “I’m just full of gratitude towards every single one of the people that followed me to the very end and was willing me on. As much as I came here at the start of the week saying I wanted to do it for me, by the end of the round there today I was doing it just as much for them as I was for me.

“I wanted to be here for the weekend and I selfishly I wanted to feel that support for two more days. But today was probably one of the most fun rounds of golf I’ve ever played. It’s strange saying that standing here and having had a bit of success and won this championship before, and just to be battling to make the cut. “The major season is over but the season and trying to finish the year off on a positive note isn’t.”