Rory McIlroy’s hopes of securing a second Irish Open title are well and truly on after a strong second outing for the hometown hero at the Royal County Down.
The Holywood native got off to a decent start in Thursday’s opening round – which came as a relief to the four-time Major winner given his history of poor starts in tournaments on home soil.
His opening 68 was complimented by some late birdies and he continued that solid pace on the tricky course come Friday.
Starting from the back nine early in the day, McIlroy banked a one-under 70 to put himself four-under overall.
As it stands, that is enough to leave the 35-year-old tied for third at the halfway mark of the competition.
McIlroy sits a stroke behind current the leading English pair of Laurie Canter and Todd Clements.
Hopes were high for the County Down man from the start as he managed to fire home an eagle on his first hole of the morning.
McIlroy couldn’t quite reach that high bar again but did register a birdie alongside two bogeys on his journey around the 18.
Shane Lowry got himself under-par for the tournament after a two-under-par 69 in the second round, meaning he is well clear of the projected cut.
‘You’re not going to get that golf course any easier than we got it this morning, so I probably could have been a shot or two better,’ the Offaly man told RTÉ after his round.
‘I feel like I’m back in the tournament. We’re going to have a tough day tomorrow – if I can go out and shoot a good score, I’ll be right there.’
Elsewhere for the Irish, Tom McKibbin carded a 69 to keep himself clear of the cut while amateur Sean Keeling, just 17, looks set to reach the weekend.