‘Ecstatic’ Rory McIlroy remains in the hunt at Royal Birkdale

Rory McIlroy moved under par heading into the weekend at The Open and reminded himself to stay positive over the coming 36 holes as he bids to chase down halfway leader Jordan Spieth at Royal Birkdale.

A second-round 68, two under par for the day, moved the four-time major champion into red figures yesterday as his nightmare start to Thursday’s opening round was banished from the McIlroy mindset.

The Irishman had been five over after six holes of his first round but battled back to one over by the end of the day thanks to a stern pep talk from caddie JP Fitzgerald and a blistering back nine as McIlroy played with renewed positivity to post a round of 71, six back on overnight co-leaders Spieth, Brooks Koepka, and Matt Kuchar.