Four-time Major winning Rory McIlroy joked he’s father has recorded an albatross ‘2’ but not his 26-year old son.
Though the current World No. 3 went within 18 inches of matching dad, Gerry when he hit a 259-yard 5-wood second shot at the par 5 18th to just 18-inches for the easiest of tap-in eagles.
And McIlroy’s eagle came moments after grabbing a birdie, and also from 18 inches, at the par three, 17th on the third but in round two of the fog-affected Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship.
“I needed that finish and I couldn’t hole a putt from outside two feet, so I thought I could hit my shots to within two feet on the last two holes,” he said.
Rory McIlroy soaring ahead of returning to the Falcon clubhouse in finishing birdie, eagle. (Photo – www.golfbytourmiss.com)
“But to be fair, it was a pretty average round and that’s the thing when you are not really at your best you can come away with a 70 and still keep within touch of the leaders, so I am really happy with that.
“It had been a frustrating day yesterday, as I felt like I hit the ball well and I gave myself plenty of chances, and then even this morning starting off, I missed a couple of chances but then it was a nice finish.”
With the fog delay on Friday it meant McIlroy and playing partners Jordan Spieth and Rickie Fowler didn’t tee off to 2.4opm but then with a further delay of just short of three hours today, it meant that the three needed 21 hours to complete their rounds at 11.40am.
And McIlroy finished in soaring style heading to the iconic Falcon clubhouse for lunch delighted with his 3, 3 close to his round.
“I said to myself on the 17th tee let’s finish 3, 3 and I was able to do that,” he smiled.
Hounded by AGW members – Martin Dempster in black behind Rory McIlroy, Bernie in red cap, new member Steve Douglas top left in dark blue shirt and Jock MacVicar (in DESPERATE need of a trip to the barber)in foreground.
“I don’t know if I should say that to myself on the first tee, okay, let’s have 18 3s but then I knew I needed something and I knew I wanted to finish well and I knew 18 was a chance and 17 playing downwind, I would have a wedge in there so I knew I had a couple of chances.”
If there is no further fog delays organisers should be able to get the tournament completed tomorrow afternoon as planned and going with a two-tee final round start around 1pm Sunday and once the third round is completed.
And with McIlroy having finished runner-up five times in the event he said he’s going nowhere given he will head to nearby Dubai to practice next week ahead of teeing-up in next Sunday’s Abu Dhabi Invitational at nearby Yas Links and then head to his defence of the Dubai Desert Classic.
“I was in the clubhouse sitting have a coffee with Thomas Bjorn, and Thomas can moan about it a little bit; “I’m not leaving the UAE for another three weeks; well, I’ll wait as long as it take.”
