Rory McIlroy Remains Confident Despite Falling Seven Shots Behind at US Open

Posted : 20 June 2026

Rory McIlroy remains optimistic about his chances at the US Open, even after a challenging second round left him seven strokes behind the tournament leader heading into the weekend.

The world No. 2 carded a one-over-par 71 on Friday at Shinnecock Hills, bringing his 36-hole total to even par. While Wyndham Clark holds a commanding advantage at the top of the leaderboard, McIlroy believes the demanding nature of the course leaves the door open for a comeback.

According to the Northern Irish star, Shinnecock Hills is the type of venue where large deficits can quickly shrink because of the constant challenges posed by strong winds, thick rough and difficult green conditions. Rather than chasing aggressive shots, McIlroy plans to focus on minimizing mistakes while taking advantage of scoring opportunities when they arise.

McIlroy started brightly, collecting birdies at the fifth and eighth holes to keep himself within striking distance. However, his round unraveled on the back nine as missed approaches led to consecutive bogeys at the 10th, 11th and 12th holes.

He briefly regained momentum with a tap-in birdie at the 13th after a precise approach shot and followed it with a long birdie putt at the 14th. But a costly error at the 15th resulted in a double bogey after he overshot the green and found a bunker, damaging his hopes of a lower score.

Reflecting on the round, McIlroy admitted the back nine proved difficult as he repeatedly struggled to control approach shots in changing wind conditions. Despite the setbacks, he insisted he still feels very much involved in the tournament and capable of making a move over the final two rounds.

The six-time major champion believes patience will be crucial. He expects players throughout the field to make mistakes on the demanding layout, creating opportunities for those who can stay disciplined and capitalize on birdie chances.

McIlroy also praised course officials for their setup of Shinnecock Hills, noting that pin placements have been fair and that conditions have remained balanced despite challenging weather forecasts. He anticipates the greens will become firmer and faster over the weekend but expects the course to remain playable.

With two rounds remaining, McIlroy is counting on steady golf and a reduction in costly errors to close the gap and mount a challenge for another major championship.

Rory McIlroy Remains Confident Despite Falling Seven Shots Behind at US Open

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