Rory McIlroy’s needed a strong second round to get his Open challenge back on track at Royal Birkdale.
The Press Association’s Andy Hampson walked the course with the 37-year-old.
Here he takes a closer look at how events unfolded for McIlroy on Friday.
Hole 1: There was no doubt McIlroy would have the crowd behind him, as was clear from the first shouts of, ‘Come on Rory’ as he made his way across the elevated players’ walkway to the first tee. The cheers grew as he entered the amphitheatre surrounding the tee but there was no sign of pressure as he parred the opening hole, sharing banter with playing partner Matt Fitzpatrick as he made his way down the fairway.
Hole 2: The driver came out for the first time and to stunning effect with a perfect tee shot setting up his first birdie of the day. The size of his following was again in evidence with hundreds stood on the sand dunes surrounding the green and letting out a huge roar when his putt dropped, far louder than that for Fitzpatrick’s birdie moments earlier.
Hole 3: Another perfect tee shot was followed by the first significant hold-up of the round as the players waited for the group ahead to clear the green. There was a hint of a grimace as he hit his approach slightly off the ideal line but he still found the edge of the green and a well-weighted lag putt ensured a par.
Hole 4: Gasps quickly turned to applause as a tee shot that momentarily seemed like it could end up in a bunker took a lucky bounce to set up another birdie opportunity. His 24ft putt was almost perfect, stopping just short of the hole, offering encouragement after Thursday’s difficulties on the greens.
Hole 5: “Is he going for it?” asked one onlooker as he pulled a big wood out of his bag. Indeed he was. The green to this par four was certainly makeable in the conditions. He flew the bunkers guarding it but narrowly missed the shortest grass. His chip was not perfect but he tidied up for par, unperturbed by balls from the group behind landing close behind him.
Hole 6: With dunes lining both sides of the fairway, the crowds following McIlroy’s marquee group had swelled even further. They helped him with shouts of ‘fore’ as his second shot from the rough headed towards trouble over the green but they fell silent when he was unable to recover and save par.
Hole 7: The frustration of the sixth was quickly cast aside as McIlroy hit the green at the short par three from the tee. He could not make birdie though, with his lengthy putt stopping just short despite being urged to drop by hundreds of fans. He kicked the air in disappointment.
Hole 8: McIlroy looked like he meant business as he hit a booming drive and had a long chat with Fitzpatrick as they strode down the fairway. A fine approach led to a belated birdie and his smile was one of relief.
Hole 9: The driver came out again, to the delight of the spectators behind the tee box, who almost en masse took out their phones. Should the lenses have been good enough, they will have captured memorable footage as McIlroy’s ball flew and then bounded to within about six feet to set up an eagle chance. The eagle was not to be but the tap-in birdie took him to the turn at level par and in good spirits.
Hole 10: Another fantastic drive took the difficulties of the dog-leg out of the equation. His approach took him inside 30ft, pin high, and he appeared to have a bounce in his step as he made his way to the green. The putt was not to his liking though and he had to settle for a par and gentle applause.
Hole 11: The wind became noticeable for the first time and McIlroy was unhappy with his tee shot, shaking his head after making contact. The outcome was the lesser of two evils, though, as he avoided a bunker and found the rough. He punched out to the green and saved par.
Hole 12: McIlroy banged his club on the ground in frustration as his tee shot to the par three narrowly missed the green. It meant an awkward chip from a downslope rather than a putt, and a realistic birdie opportunity was missed.
