THE 151ST OPEN

July 20, 2023

Rory McIlroy

Mixed Zone

Q. Talk about the up-and-down at 18.

RORY McILROY: Yeah, I wouldn't have been too happy walking off the 18th with a bogey, especially after the two shots I hit in there.

Yeah, it's just when you hit it into these bunkers you're sort of riding your luck at that point and hoping it's not up against one of those revetted faces. Yeah, Jon and I didn't have much of a shot with our thirds, so then you're just hoping to make par somehow and get out of there.

Yeah, overall, 2-over through 12, to get it back to even for the day, I'm pretty pleased with that.

Q. How big a test was that of your patience out there today?

RORY McILROY: Yeah, it was. I didn't really get it going on the front nine. Was missing a few putts, and then missed that little one on the 8th hole.

Had a good chance to sort of get it back at 9 and hit a good putt, but I just didn't read it right.

A few putts started to go in on the back nine for me, which was nice to see. Hopefully I've got my eye in the line and I can build on that over the next three days.

Q. With the short missed putt on 8, the bomb you holed on one of the toughest holes on the course on 14, and then 18 in the bunker, your grit and determination, you must be pretty satisfied walking off that 18th green.

RORY McILROY: Yeah, as I said, 2-over through 12, to walk off in even par, I think knowing that I had a couple of tough holes coming up, but obviously the two par-5s, as well, I think walking to the 13th tee I probably would have taken even par to finish the day.

That's exactly where I ended up.

Yeah, I needed to stay patient out there. It wasn't the easiest of days. But I'm still right in there. Just go out there in the morning, shoot something in the 60s, and I'll hopefully be right in the mix.

Q. How happy are you to start with a level par-71 given it's a late afternoon tee time, the winds rose to maybe 20 miles an hour, and all those things can send the round the wrong direction, but you come in with level par-71.

RORY McILROY: Yeah, again, I'm pleased. I was probably hoping for a little bit more at the start of the day, but as I got out there and the conditions got a tiny bit tougher, as I said, being 2-over through 12 and getting it back to even par, I was pretty happy with that.