Portstewart, Northern Ireland …
Jon Rahm insists Rory McIlroy will bounce back after the Spanish golfing sensation upstaged the tournament host by 13 shots on day two of the Irish Open at Portstewart.
Rahm, 22 eagled his fifth hole and managed six birdies in a five under par 67 to finish the round in third place at 12-under par.
In contrast, McIlroy recorded scores of 72 and 73 to miss the four under cut off mark by five shots.
McIlroy struggled not only ee-to-green in hitting half of the 14 fairways but for a second day running on the greens in taking 33 putts.
Jon Rahm insists Rory McIlroy will bounce back from missing the Irish cut
Fortunately, the World No. 4 had entered next week’s Scottish Open that now takes on more importance for McIlroy ahead of the following week’s Open Championship at Royal Birkdale.
McIlroy has not contested the Scottish event since 2o14 when he shot a new course record 64 in round one and on route to a share of 14th at Royal Aberdeen.
McIlroy had been due to tee up a year later at Gullane but was forced out with an ankle injury.
“The Scottish Open does now take on more importance,” he said.
“I’d like to get a good tournament under my belt going into Birkdale and while every tournament is important to me coming up in this summer stretch.
“I haven’t played a lot and every time I go and play, I need to make the most of it.
“Unfortunately, the last three outings since coming back from injury hasn’t been quite that way”.
However Rahm, who could very well now be handed the crystal trophy on Sunday by host McIlroy, believes McIlroy will bounce back in time for Royal Birkdale.
“Rory played great golf tee to green and he was just unlucky to miss some putts”, said Rahm.
“So, he must have had 1o to 15 putts out there with just so many of those either lipping out or just grazing the hole and there are weeks like that when that happens.
“If a few of those went in then your whole attitude changes and while it was unfortunate for him, his game is in great shape and nothing to panic about.
“I know the Irish fans will be disappointed he is not here for the weekend but looking ahead to The Open, he will be just fine”
The duo of American Daniel Im and Frenchman Benjamin Herbert, and with identical scores of 64 and 67, continue to share the lead in moving to 13-under par.
