In golf, much like in life, survival sometimes comes before thriving. Rory McIlroy learned that lesson firsthand at the Texas Houston Open, where he narrowly avoided an early exit after a tense second round. Initially, the projected cut line sat at 2-under but later shifted to 4-under, nearly putting McIlroy’s weekend plans in jeopardy. The final cutline was then settled at -3. A strong back-nine performance and three consecutive birdies on 15th, 16th, and 17th helped him secure a T30 position at 4-under, keeping his tournament hopes alive just in time.

“It was a little dicey there at the end,” McIlroy admitted. “Maverick [McNealy] made a really good up-and-down for par to make the cut. I was just happy I had that shot cushion coming up the last because it was getting pretty dark.” Now, with 36 holes left to play, McIlroy is focusing on steady improvement rather than getting caught up in the leaderboard drama.

Despite trailing Scottie Scheffler, who is currently leading the leaderboard, having tied the course record, the Northern Irishman is adamant about staying in his lane and not seeing what #1 is doing. “I think I just have to play my own tournament and stay in my own little world, try to get the best out of myself,” he said when asked if Scheffler’s play will impact his. “Whether that’s good enough or not, that’s not really up to me at this point, that’s up to the guys that are in front of me on the leaderboard. But if I can go out there and shoot a couple of good scores over the weekend, I’ll be happy with my week’s work.”

McIlroy not letting Scheffler’s play affect his strategy has nothing to do with him not respecting him as a player. He respects him. At the Houston Open, he praised Scheffler saying, “I think what Scottie has done the last couple years in golf is amazing. It’s great to have him be. He’s great for the game. “

McIlroy’s focus on self-improvement has already led to major success this year. In 2025, he grabbed two wins in the same year before the Masters for the first time in his career. Now, the Texas Houston Open has presented new challenges, and McIlroy has yet to find his usual momentum.

On the other hand, Scottie Scheffler, who’s been searching for his first win of the season after his palm surgery, has been in fine form this week. Though he’s still seeking his breakthrough in 2025, Scheffler is looking sharp in Texas, hinting at a potential return to the winner’s circle, having shot 8 under on Friday.

But McIlroy? Let’s just say he remains unfazed with his mantra of focusing on his game rather than the results.

How is Rory McIlroy playing so far?

It’s McIlroy’s first time at Memorial Park, he’s faced a bit of a learning curve. But as usual, he’s shown that his experience and adaptability keep him in the mix, even when the conditions aren’t ideal.

After his first round, McIlroy wasn’t exactly thrilled with his score. He played steadily but didn’t produce anything spectacular. He managed a couple of birdies but also gave away some shots with bogeys. Still, he didn’t let the score shake him; instead, he kept his head in the game, knowing it was all about staying in contention. His second round, however, told a different story.

What’s really impressive about McIlroy this week is how well he’s adapting. Many players might get rattled when they play a course they’re not used to, but McIlroy clearly uses this tournament as a chance to hone his skills for bigger events down the line, like the Masters.

Whether or not he takes home the trophy this week, his mindset remains focused on the bigger picture. He’s playing smart, knowing that each round brings him one step closer to his ultimate goal.