Rory McIlroy surges up Irish Open leaderboard as crowds flock to see home favourite – The Irish Times

Few spectator experiences can compare to those of Rory McIlroy, especially when he is competing on home soil and in contention. The ‘Rory Roars’ that are echoing around Royal County Down this week are unparalleled.

The world number three has a unique gait when he strides down the fairways, but this week at the Amgen Irish Open he has a more relaxed, laid-back look. Previously, the pressure of playing in front of a home crowd was obvious to everyone. The tension is palpable for the player and his entourage of golfers. But not so much this week, easy strides and smiles accompany birdies and eagles in Newcastle.

McIlroy started Friday’s second round in near-perfect conditions alongside compatriot Tom McKibbin and defending champion Vincent Norrman of Sweden. The golf was green weather. RCD was up to the task, with a sunny course and near-perfect playing conditions, which meant flags were still accessible despite being hidden on some greens.

It’s easy to know where a player like McIlroy is on the course, he’s like the Pied Piper of Hamelin, carrying the crowd along with him. Even those who are late to the party after they get through the gates feed on the fairways like colonies of ants until they get to their man.

By mid-morning, the crowd around the 17th tee had grown to 12 and was growing with each hole. It makes for a spectacle more akin to the back nine of a regular Sunday event, but we’re only halfway through the course. McIlroy and his star appeal are no ordinary thing, this is a different kind of sauce and everyone wants a piece of him.

Neck strain, cell phones and straining to get a good view of the other side of the blue rope are commonplace. Just watching an idol at work is satisfaction enough.

“I’m excited to play in front of my home crowd and have such great support,” McIlroy said after his 1-under-par 71, which moved him to 4-under and one point behind the leader. “I’m very fortunate, I feel like I have great support everywhere I go. And when I come home and play somewhere not too far from where I grew up – and I have a chance to win the tournament – ​​I’m always excited to play in that atmosphere.”

McIlroy has taken a patient approach this week, fully aware of the pitfalls that await him on the Championship Links at RCD. He has taken 13 birdie attempts and each time the crowd has pushed his ball into the hole. He skims the hole more than most people do, narrowly missing. It’s like teasing the crowd while the player internally digests his frustrations.

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Those near misses make birdies and eagles all the sweeter when they disappear underground. Take the one-against-the-field birdie on the 15th hole on the course’s toughest hole. McIlroy got a great read on McKibbin before holing his first birdie of the day from 25 feet. For spectators, it makes the hair on the back of their necks stand up as the Rory Roar intensifies around the green. For McIlroy, he’s learned to control those emotions.

“I’ve been doing this for so long now that I don’t feel it anymore. You don’t want to go too high or too low, you have to stay as calm as possible. I used to have big emotional swings on the court, but I’ve realized over time that staying calmer is the best way to move forward,” McIlroy added.

He did it again on the first hole, his 10th, when he hit a driver, an 8-iron to 15 feet of the par-five to set up an eagle. As if in slow motion, his ball rolled from one end to the other before dropping into the cup. There was real momentum again and the crowd was in an uproar.

“It’s always great at a national Open to see the local players play well. It’s good to have the local interest and see some of us at the top of the rankings. It’ll be fun to have the crowd back this weekend, it’ll only make the tournament better.”

All of which means the Rory Roars will continue at Royal County Down as their favourite son has given himself a genuine chance of home glory.