'I'm playing as good as I've played in a long time' - Rory McIlroy delighted to be in US Open mix

Rory McIlroy admits he is “playing as good as I’ve played in a long time” after a one-under 69 on the second day of the US Open leaves him just one shot off the lead. The Northern Irishman — the winner of last weekend's Canadian Open — is in a share of third place at halfway, one shot behind Collin Morikawa, the Open champion, and Joel Dahmen at four under par heading into the weekend at The Country Club in Brookline.

“I'm playing as good a golf as I've played in a long time," said McIlroy, who is hoping to land his fifth major title and first since the 2014 PGA Championship. Ad/> «I have to go out with the mindset this week that I'm going to try to win my first again.» Ryder CupUSA and Europe reveal opening foursomes pairings at 2021 Ryder Cup24/09/2021 AT 07:55 McIlroy was comfortably the best player on day one, with a bogey on 18 being the only blemish on his card.

He was well placed heading into the second round, but did not have his best game and once again his putting was an important factor in him posting a red number on Friday. Phil Mickelson's wild play sees him miss the cut and hit a spectator with ball US Open may ban LIV golfers in the future after 9/11 families say they've been disrespected McIlroy saw a birdie attempt come up short on the first, before a huge error cost him two shots on the third.

Taking an iron off the tee left him a long way back, and he leaked his approach to the right and into the fescue. He took three shots to get the ball on the green, meaning he was staring at a triple-bogey.

But he found a brilliant putt to limit the damage to two shots, and walked off the green with a semblance of a smile despite signing for a six. McIlroy steadied the ship before taking advantage of his power to