Ice man Rory makes it all look so easy

IT is becoming all so easy for Rory McIlroy at this US Open that the 22-year-old golfer has reminded himself to stay focused heading into the biggest weekend of his career at Congressional Country Club.

History is beckoning for the young Irishman in a manner that recalls the majestic way in which Tiger Woods won the 2000 US Open at Pebble Beach by a record 15 strokes and yet there are still 36 holes to go and McIlroy knows better than anybody after his horrible finish to the Masters that for all the records he has already set, he now has to finish the job.

McIlroy followed up his opening bogey-free six-under-par 65 on Thursday with a five-under 66 around Congressional’s Blue Course and it could have been so much better had he not found water out of the rough at the par-four 18th and recorded a double bogey.

As it was, his aggregate of 131 is the lowest 36-hole total in US Open history and he got into double digits under par quicker than anyone in the championship when he holed out from 114 yards at the par-four eighth for eagle.

“I think everybody would agree he’s probably got more talent in his pinky than I have in my whole body,” an incredulous Brandt Snedeker said after shooting a 70 that on most days would have been a US Open talking point.

McIlroy’s 66 left him at 11 under par and holding a US Open record-equalling six-stroke lead over YE Yang, with whom he will play in this evening’s final pairing after the Korean shot a two-under 69. Woods, coincidentally, set the record at Pebble Beach in 2000.

When Yang began his round, McIlroy was heading to the cinema to take his mind off it all ahead of today’s third round.

He didn’t really miss much on the golf course. Aside from Yang, whose round comprised four birdies and two bogeys, there was very little movement on the leaderboard. Matt Kuchar shot a 68 to elevate him to two under where he ties for third place with fellow Americans Zach Johnson (69), Robert Garrigus (70) and Snedeker as well as Sergio Garcia of Spain, continuing his great return to form.

McIlroy, though, was long gone, having listened attentively to those records being read out ahead of his post-round press conference, and while happy to soak it all in also being mindful of the need to dampen the euphoria surrounding his fast start.

“I’m feeling good, feeling very good,” he said. “You know, it’s funny to me, you know, it feels quite simple.

“I’m hitting fairways. I’m hitting greens. I’m holing my fair share of putts.

“I don’t really know what to say. It’s been two very, very good days of golf. I put myself in a great position going into the weekend. But I know more than probably anyone else what can happen. So I’ve got to stay really focused and try and finish this thing off.”

Of the records that have already tumbled, did he feel “pretty cool”?

“Not yet,” came the reply, “I’ve still got 36 holes to go.”

And yet. The way McIlroy has negotiated this golf course for two days in a row has been nothing short of astonishing and it deeply impressed playing partner for the first two rounds Phil Mickelson.

Yesterday, as McIlroy scorched up the leaderboard, the four-time major winner and five-time US Open runner-up had smiled at the Irishman on the 15th and joked: “I don’t think the 10-shot rule will be used this week”, referring to the method of determining the halfway cut. And later, having followed an opening 74 with a pretty good 69, the American marvelled at McIlroy’s performance.

“He’s striking it flawlessly and putted great on the greens,” Mickelson said. “His first two rounds were very impressive.

“The game’s easy when you hit it straight and make every putt. It was fun to watch.”

It’s fun to be Rory.

McIlroy was so at his ease and in control of the situation that he even managed an impromptu ice cube fight on the 16th tee as his group ran into traffic on the par-five.

Taking refuge in the shade at the back of the tee box, as he waited for Steve Stricker, Retief Goosen and David Toms to tee off in the group ahead, caddie JP Fitzgerald approached his player and promptly shoved ice cubes down the back of his shirt.

“Payback,” said Fitzgerald with a chuckle as he retreated hastily back onto the tee with McIlroy firing a couple of long-range cubes at his disappearing caddie.

It was staggering to think that he was the leader of a major championship and in mid-round, and not up to some high jinks on the practice range.

There may be ice in his veins as well down his back, though, as when his round eventually resumed, McIlroy thumped his driver down the fairway of the hole shortened to 546 yards for the second round, landed a magnificent four-iron approach shot pin-high and 10 feet left and two-putted for birdie to move nine shots ahead at 12 under par.

He had made the turn in four under, with birdies at the par-four fourth and par-five sixth before holing out for eagle on eight.

There was more brilliance on the back nine, superb iron play and great putting rewarded with birdies at 14, 16 and 17 to leave McIlroy at 13 under.

There was, however, a not so subtle reminder that he will have to take nothing for granted this weekend.

His tee shot at the monster par-four 18th, playing at 533 yards, found the left trees.

McIlroy’s recovery shot in pursuit of a pin placed on the back left of the green found the water front left and a double bogey ensued.

“The lie was decent,” he said. “I was just trying to play out to the front right portion of the green. And I just got a little bit of grass caught in between the club face and the ball.

“I’m very happy with my position. I couldn’t have asked for any more on the first tee this morning.”