Rory McIlroy demonstrated impressive form on Friday, shooting a 2-under par round of 69 at the **2025 British Open** held at **Royal Portrush** in **Northern Ireland**. This performance places him at 3-under par for the tournament after 36 holes, a significant improvement from his previous appearance at this venue in **2019**, where he missed the cut.
Leading the tournament after the early wave of play is **Brian Harman**, who delivered a remarkable second-round score of 65, putting him at 8-under par overall. McIlroy, a native of Northern Ireland and a holder of a career grand slam, expressed satisfaction with his round, stating, “Another solid day.” He acknowledged improvements in his game, particularly in hitting fairways, which allowed him better opportunities to attack the greens.
Reflecting on his performance, McIlroy noted, “I feel like I maybe could be a couple closer to the lead, but overall in a decent position heading into the weekend.” His round included two birdies on the back nine, specifically at holes 12 and 14, which helped him climb the leaderboard. Currently tied for 10th place, McIlroy sees an opening to advance further in the tournament.
Excitement for Home Fans
This year’s Open Championship offers McIlroy a chance to redeem himself after the disappointment of **2019**. “I didn’t have this opportunity six years ago, so to play an extra two days in this atmosphere in front of these crowds, I’m very excited for that,” he said. The support from local fans adds a unique layer to his experience, and he feels his game is strong enough to contend for the title.
“I’ve been somewhat close to my best over the first two days in little bits here and there,” McIlroy explained. “I’m going to need to have it all under control and have it all firing over the weekend to make a run.”
He reflected on the significance of playing in front of home fans, recalling his early days competing in the region. “It was 20 years ago that I played in the North of Ireland here, and never in my wildest dreams did I think that I’d be coming back as a grand slam champion with the support of a nation behind me trying to win an Open Championship.”
As the weekend unfolds, McIlroy’s journey at the **British Open** will be closely watched, with fans hoping he can convert his strong play into a victory on home soil. “I count myself very grateful and very lucky that I’m in this position,” he concluded, underscoring the emotional weight of the tournament for him and his supporters.
