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Rory McIlroy is tied for 14th after 36 holes at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship. The Northern Irishman is nine shots off the lead but believes he still has a chance to win the tournament.
During his post-round two interview, a reporter reminded McIlroy that he was 10 shots off the lead at the 2024 Hero Dubai Desert Classic and went on to win the event. McIlroy used that example to highlight his chances this weekend at Yas Links in Abu Dhabi.
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Here's part of what Rory McIlroy had to say (via ASAP Sports):
"It will be up to me. I shot 63 on that Saturday in Dubai this year, and I'm going to need something similar if not lower, seeing what the scores are like to give myself a chance going into Sunday. But I know it's out there. I was 7-under through 13 holes today. So it is possible."
Rory McIlroy also talked about how the course could help his game if some of the conditions change over the weekend:
"I'd like to see the course get a bit firmer. There was a couple greens today that got a bit shinier and a little trickier. Yeah, I need the golf course to firm up a little bit and toughen up a little bit to have a chance."
McIlroy entered the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship leading the Race to Dubai by more than 1,500 points. He has won three events this season (one on the DP World Tour and two on the PGA Tour) and has four runner-up finishes (one on the PGA Tour and three on the DP World Tour).
The Northern Irishman was 7 under until the 16th, but a triple bogey on the 17th prevented him from maintaining that score.
A look at Rory McIlroy's performance at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship
Rory McIlroy played two very similar first rounds at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship. On Thursday, he was bogey-free until the 16th, with birdies on the 2nd, 8th, 9th, 11th and 14th.
His only bogey of the day came on the 17th. His tee shot landed on the fairway, just 30 yards from the pin, but his approach didn't go far enough, leaving the ball 14 feet short. McIlroy then needed two putts to complete the hole.
The four-time Major champion bounced back in style to finish with a birdie on the 18th. His score was 5 under for the round.
A day later, McIlroy again played bogey-free until the 16th, this time with seven birdies, and again ran into trouble on the 17th. This time it was even worse as he carded a 6 for the hole.
His tee shot went into a greenside bunker from which McIlroy tried to reach the green with a wedge shot, but it went long and the ball landed in another greenside bunker. His third shot was no better and the ball travelled just four yards before landing in the rough.
It was not until his fourth shot that McIlroy reached the green. He then needed two putts to finish with a triple bogey.
As he did the previous day, the Northern Irishman recovered well to finish with a birdie on the 18th. He carded a 5-under for the round and 10-under for 36 holes.
