‘No Matter What’: A Hungry Rory McIlroy Resonates Confidence and Shares His Mantra to Alleviate the Staggering Trophy Drought 

The 2023 edition of the Genesis Scottish Open, co-sanctioned by the DP World Tour and the PGA Tour, is currently underway at the Renaissance Club in North Berwick. Ahead of the fast-approaching Open Championship, many of the biggest names in golf are part of the field at the Tom Doak-designed venue this week.

Among the competing players is Rory McIlroy, who is at the top of the leaderboard after two rounds. McIlroy, who has scripted five consecutive top-10 finishes coming into the Scottish Open, last won a title in October 2022. But the World No. 3’s trophy drought may soon end, as evidenced by his comments on Friday. Let’s dive in to find out more!

Rory McIlroy sets his eyes on a win at the Scottish Open

While Scotland is the home of golf, it also often throws unprecedented weather-related challenges at players. The difficult conditions during the second round of the Scottish Open saw many golfers struggle. But Rory McIlroy wasn’t one of them.

The unwavering Irishman played beautifully to record a 4-under 66, which catapulted him to a total of 10-under, a shot clear of Tyrrell Hatton, Byeong Hun An, and Tom Kim. “I hit the ball really well tee-to-green,” said McIlroy after grinding through the drizzle on Friday. “Honestly, it felt like 4-under was probably the worst I could have shot out there.”

At the moment, the 34-year-old is first in strokes gained from the tee to the green. He is also leading in average driving distance at 331.9 yards. With the weather expected to take a turn for the worse over the next 36 holes, McIlroy remains unflinching.

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“I know that I’m playing well enough tee-to-green to give myself some looks and hang in there, so I’m pretty confident going into the next two days no matter what the weather throws at us,” he said. If McIlroy manages to emerge a winner on Sunday, it will be his first-ever professional win in Scotland.

McIlroy shoots 66, and yet Tyrrell Hatton one-ups him

To date, Rory McIlroy’s best Scottish Open finish came in 2014, when he tied for 14th place. A few days later, a then-25-year-old McIlroy went on to claim the Open Championship title at the renowned Royal Liverpool Golf Club.

With the major returning to Hoylake next week, the golfer will be wanting to emulate his heroics from nine years ago, and his form at the ongoing Scottish Open is proof. After opening with an impressive 6-under 64 on Thursday, McIlroy carded a second-round 66 to take a one-shot lead. Entering the weekend, the 4-time major winner is now at 10-under-par 130.

Amidst the steady downpour, Tyrrell Hatton hit a stunning 8-under 62, which consisted of 9 birdies and one bogey. With a 9-under-par total, he is now tied for second place with Tom Kim and Byeong Hun An. As many as 25 other golfers are within five strokes of McIlroy. World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler (65), along with Padraig Harrington, is three shots off the lead.

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Do you think Rory McIlroy will win the Scottish Open this week? Which player are you rooting for to lift the title? Tell us in the comments below!