Rory McIlroy sounded a clear warning to his rivals drawing on a ‘work in progress’ swing and muscle his way to a share of the lead on day two of the 100th French Open near Versailles.
The four-time Major winner was in a class of his own, and despite finding water down the 18th for a second day in succession, posted a five under par 66 for a similar 36-hole tally on the National course.
The World No. 4 and reigning Irish Open winner shares the lead with four others including Korean Jeunghun Wang and a back-to-back Tour winner in May who also signed for a 66.
Others on five under par include South African Brandon Stone (68), Finland’s Mikko Illonen (68) and Thailand’s Thongchai Jaidee (70).
Rory McIlroy with a ‘work in progress’ swing shares the lead on day two of the 100th French Open.
There are a further 20 players just four shots from the lead and among them semi-retired Dane Anders Hansen (68) at four under par and contesting only his second event since last October.
McIlroy arrived in Versailles for a first time in six years but striving to ‘bed-in’ some slight changes in his swing and while not entirely comfortable six birdies, including three in a four hole run from the sixth, has his on track and with less than a fortnight to The Open.
“I still need a few more days like today over the weekend if I am to have a chance to win but the good thing is that I have put myself in position,” he said.
“There was some good shots out there as I am not just focussing on the target or a score but more so focusing on how I am playing every shot.
“So in a way it is nice to be able to get myself into contention and without thinking about the result so that’s a nice thing to have, and to be thinking about my swing and what I need to do swing-wise to get the ball close to the hole.
“It’s all work in progress and it still doesn’t feel natural and it doesn’t feel very fluid at the minute but the more I do it, and to use a Tiger (Woods) term, the reps I get it will all start to feel a bit more natural.
“There’s no way I can put a percentage figure on where I am at with the changes and all I know is that I am not swinging it at my best and still managed to shoot a 66 out there.
“There is a lot of things that need to go right in golf and I feel what I am doing now is the best way long-term to be a bit more consistent.”
McIlroy is not teeing-up in next week’s Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open and will be at Royal Troon early next week for two day’s practice.
It will be McIlroy’s first appearance in a Royal Troon Open and with Paddy Power offering odds of 7/1 on McIlroy as second favourite behind Jason Day (13/2) to win a second straight Open after a footy injury last year ruled McIlroy out of St. Andrews.
Sadly, Marc Warren was the only Scot among seven to make the cut but finds himself well down in a share of 43rd place with scores of 74 and 70 for a two over par tally.
Also sitting out the weekend rounds, and for a second week running, is Masters champion Danny Willett with rounds of 75 and 72.
The World No. 9 was third at the BMW PGA Championship where he angrily snapped his putter in two and 29 putts both days in Versailles didn’t help his disposition.
“It’s been a s*** couple of weeks,” said Willett.
“I missed by one last week and by two this week. It’s not like you are shooting 85 all the time.
“But it’s fine margins and unfortunately we were on the wrong side of them.
“The last three weeks we’ve putted as bad as we ever have and things haven’t quite gone our way.”
