World No. 2 Rory McIlroy overcame a Friday the 13th injury scare to keep himself in contention heading to the weekend rounds of the BMW South African Open.
McIlroy had been in doubt right up to tee-off on day two of the $US7m event after ‘tweaking’ his upper back.
However, McIlroy battled through the pain barrier to produce a brilliant start to his round with five birdies over his opening six holes on the Glendower course on the outskirts of Johannesburg.
McIlroy then dropped three shots with three bogeys from his eight to 11th hole ahead of taking double at this 13th before a rousing finish when he eagled the par five eighth, or the 17th of his round, and then ended with a birdie.
Rory McIlroy bravely battling a back injury to shoot a round of 68 on day two of the BMW SA Open. (Photo – European Tour)
His round of 68 moved McIlroy to a share of fifth place at nine under par and just three clear of Englishman Graeme Storm who grabbed nine birdies in a stunning 63 for a two-shot lead at nine under par.
McIlroy was clearly in pain stepping onto the first tee but showed his mental toughness by taking his place in front of near record crowds gathered to catch a glimpse of the four-time Major winner.
“I was actually thinking about pulling out before going off today,” said McIlroy.
“I’ve tweaked my back and the first few shots today were not comfortable – it still isn’t comfortable. I can’t really take a deep breath.
“I’ve done something to my upper back. I’m going to get some treatment and hopefully I’ll feel a bit better tomorrow.
“I wouldn’t want to withdraw as I would let a lot of people down.”
Injury aside, McIlroy is clearly very confident with the new equipment he has in his bag as evident now in having produced an eagle and 14 birdies over the two days.
It is in stark contrast to the fanfare of four years ago when he turned out in Abu Dhabi using Nike for a first time but leaving the company as crimson-faced as his new driver to miss the HSBC cut with a pair of 75s.
“The middle part of my round was really good as I saw some putts go in and that was really nice,” he said.
“Overall, the start and the finish wasn’t great but everything in between was pretty good and I’m still in contention heading to the weekend.”
Storm is certainly determined to make the most of his 2017 opportunities after bizarrely retaining full membership when American Patrick Reed was removed from the final 2016 Race to Dubai standings by not contesting the minimum number of events.
Storm had bogeyed the 72nd hole in the Portugal Masters, and won by Padraig Harrington, to miss out on retaining his card by just Euro 100 and with the 38-year old contemplating a trip to the dreaded Tour School.
“It’s obviously great to shoot a score like that,” said Storm.
“I had a putt on the last, it was a long putt to equal my best ever score. I actually shot 62 at Joburg so it would have been nice to equal that but I’ll take 63.”
And it may be unlikely if Darren Clarke turns up today (Saturday) to complete the final hole of his second round after the threat of an electrical storm halted play at 4.50pm local time.
Clarke, who was two under at the start of his round, slumped to be six over through 17 holes and clearly missing the cut in his opening event of the New Year.
