Rory McIlroy fires monster drive but putts fail as Open hopes fade

Rory McIlroy’s Open Championship hopes stayed alive on Friday after he unleashed a 403-yard bomb on the 9th at Royal Birkdale: yet his round of 67 left him three shots off the pace.

What happened?

McIlroy struck his driver with the kind of fluidity that turns heads. The ball flew 403 yards to within 11 feet of the hole, drawing gasps from the gallery. Yet when the putter came out, his touch betrayed him. A birdie was the best he could salvage from an eagle opportunity.

His round mirrored the pattern: bold drives, shaky irons, and missed birdies from 10-20 feet. The result was a solid 67, three under par, leaving him at one under for the tournament.

Why it matters for Rory McIlroy

McIlroy’s long game stayed sharp, but his putting remains the weak spot. He ranked 155th out of 156 in strokes gained on Thursday, losing three strokes to the field. A quick fix with putting coach Brad Faxon helped, but the greens still baffled him.

“These greens are tricky,” McIlroy said. “I hit good putts that did something completely different to what I saw. That’s unnerving.”

His focus now shifts to Saturday’s third round. A quick start could put him in the mix, but the leaderboard is packed with firepower. Lucas Herbert and Sam Burns shot record-equalling 62s, leaving McIlroy three shots back.

What comes next?

McIlroy insists he’s still in the fight. “If I can get off to a decent start tomorrow and be four or five under, I’ll be right in it,” he said.

Yet the pressure mounts. Few at the top have major Sunday experience. Cam Young and Burns stand out, but McIlroy’s own major pedigree looms large.

His putting must improve. The greens won’t soften. And the margin for error shrinks with every round.

Still, a 67 keeps his Open dreams flickering: for now.