Rory McIlroy was happy to put himself in a "great" position heading into the weekend after a second-round 72 at the U.S. Open.
That was seven shots more than his opening effort but the Northern Irishman was keeping everything in perspective as he took on the daunting No. 2 Course at Pinehurst Resort & Country Club.
McIlroy said after his bogey-free 65 on day one that he was "pretty sure" he would not stay that way throughout the week and so it proved as he made three bogeys to a single birdie in round two.
At three under, however, he is still right in the mix and was very pleased with his first 36 holes in North Carolina.
“Obviously it didn’t go quite as well as yesterday, but I feel like the golf course played a little more difficult, even though we were off in the morning,” he said.
“Some of the hole locations were definitely a little tougher. Sort of had to have your wits about you. I putted it off one green there on 17.
“Overall I felt like I did a pretty good job at keeping some of the mistakes off the scorecard. I wish I had converted a couple more of the chances. Hit the ball pretty well. I think only missed one fairway. So I had plenty of opportunities.
“Wasn’t quite as good with the putter today but still overall in a great position going into the weekend.”
McIlroy failed to get up and down after rolling off the green on the 11th and then did the same at the par-three 15th as the greens continued to test the entire field, with the 35-year-old having to chip-in to save par after putting off the surface at the 17th.
A second round 72 for Rory to remain in contention at Pinehurst ✍️#USOpen pic.twitter.com/yCNWl1cpvh
— DP World Tour (@DPWorldTour) June 14, 2024
A brilliant approach to seven feet then brought his only birdie of the day at the third but he gave the shot back after finding sand off the tee at the par-three ninth.
"I was two over pretty early," he said. "My goal going into that second nine was if I could get it back to even for the day, I would have been pretty happy.
"Got that birdie on three, I was trying to claw one back there. Ultimately I gave one back again.
"With the way the golf course is and the way some of those hole locations are, I don't see anyone running away with it today, building up too much of a lead."
