Rory McIlroy is on target to win for a first time this year after birding his closing three holes in a score of 67 for a five under par tally on day two of the Valero Texas Open.
McIlroy was staring at a 20-foot putt for eagle at the last but was still deligted to walk off with a birdie that left him trailing in a seven way share of fifth place and only three behind in-form Billy Horschel.
Horschel birdied his closing two holes in a round of 68 and less than a week after he finished tied second in last week’s Shell Houston Open.
Three players are tied in second place two behind Horschel – Australia’s Stephen Bowditch (69) and the American duo of Daniel Summerhays (69) and Charley Hoffman (67).
Among the first text messages McIlroy received was from girlfriend, Carolina Wozniacki and short-game coach, Dave Stockton.
Rory McIlroy hitting into the 18th green on day two of the Valero Texas Open. (Photo – www.pgatour.com)
“Dave just said he was pleased with the way I played,” said McIlroy.
“But I’m feeling comfortable with my game.
“I don’t know how much you saw out there. I’m able to work the ball both ways off the tee. My iron play is good, short game’s good. I’m making a few nice putts. Everything, as I said, last week it was coming together nicely; it was just a matter of playing some rounds and getting more confident and more comfortable out there.
“So I feel like I’m doing that day by day.”
And after an 11th hour decision to add the Valero Texas Open to his schedule, McIlroy is delighted with his decision to take the 3 1/2 drive west from Houston on the I-10 on Sunday night to America’s sevent largest city.
“Yeah, it feels good to be here in San Antonio,” he said.
“I definitely feel like I’ve made the right decision. Even if I hadn’t been in this position and I’d have been a few shots back, I’d still feel the same way. I think it was a great decision to come here and play.
“Now that I’m within three shots of the lead going into the weekend, maybe a couple, depending on how a few guys finish up, I’m looking forward to getting into contention. I haven’t really been in contention this year.
“So, it will be nice to get in the mix.”
And if McIlroy should win he will head north-east to Augusta on Sunday night as the World No. 1.
