Resilient Rory McIlroy tries again at the U.S. Open - ESPN

LOS ANGELES — A few weeks ago, Rory McIlroy found himself doing something unexpected. He had logged into YouTube and pulled up old major championship highlights — his highlights — from the last time he could call himself a major champion: the 2014 Open at Royal Liverpool in Hoylake.

«For whatever reason,» said McIlroy, not exactly shedding light on whether he was searching, reminiscing, or simply a victim of the site's acute algorithm. What he saw in the video was a curly-haired, 25-year-old version of himself, who was hitting several irons and 3-woods — not driver — off the tee on his way to a win.

«It set something off in my mind about, 'You know how to do this. You know how to play smart. You don't have to hit driver all the time.'» McIlroy said of the tape. «Yes, it's a big weapon, it's a big advantage, but I keep saying I've got more weapons in my arsenal now than I did back then, so I may as well use them and play to them.»

Through two rounds in the 2023 U.S. Open at the Los Angeles Country Club, McIlroy's smart play and full arsenal has been on display as he sits at 8-under, two shots back of leader Rickie Fowler heading into the weekend.

Even though he has hit multiple drives of over 370 yards so far, McIlroy isn't just bombing the ball down the fairway on every hole. Instead he's first in the field in strokes gained off the tee by being in total control of his golf ball no matter what club he hits.

Perhaps no hole embodied that on Friday more than the par-5 8th, where McIlroy took his second round from satisfactory to great. After a 307-yard drive with his 3-wood, McIlroy had 218 yards to the pin, which was tucked way left on the green. His sightline blocked by a tree, McIlroy produced a high, sweeping draw that