Rory McIroy remains determined to break a habit of struggling to make the cut after he birdied the 18th hole to ensure he plays all four rounds of the Players Championship.
McIlroy had birdied the hole in a nine-hole practice round on Wednesday and then again on Thursday however when he needed a birdie at 18 to make the cut he found the bottom of the cut with a superb 13-foot gem.
Once again, it was deja vu for the double Major winner and not the first time this year managed to just scrape into the weekend rounds of the PGA Tour.
McIlroy added a round of 74 to his opening 70 to finish on level par but 12 shots adrift of double European Ryder Cup winning colleague Martin Kaymer.
Rory McIlroy now has his eye on a low third round in the 2014 Players Championship. (Photo – www.golfbytourmiss.com)
Kaymer heads the $UDS 10m field by a shot with rounds of 63 and 69 for a 12-under par total and just one ahead of 20-year old sensation Jordan Spieth.
McIlroy’s second round began horribly when he dropped six shots in a five hole stretch from the third including taking a double at the par fourth sixth in an outward score of 42 but storming home in 32.
Six times in nine events on the 2013/14 wraparound PGA Tour schedule McIlroy has gone posting an average second round score after such a good start.
“It was exactly the same situation last week at Quail Hollow, needed to hole a six-footer there on Friday to make the cut on the number,” he said.
“Houston was sort of the same; I shot 65 to post a top 10.
“So it’s not where I want to be, but it seems I’m on this run where at least I’m making cuts. At least I’m not on the right said of it this year instead of the wrong side.
Rory McIlroy makes a point after just making the halfway cut in the Players Championship. (Photo – www.golfbytourmiss.com)
“Gave myself an opportunity over the weekend to now post a couple of good scores and post a top-10 finish again and maybe try and post something better than that.”
