Rory McIlroy is determined to turn flashes of his best into a genuine challenge as he aims to clinch The Open Championship title on home soil.
The Open Championship Preview: Rory McIlroy Eyes Claret Jug, Says 'I am Close To My Best'
McIlroy is confident he can keep improving to mount a challenge and please the home crowd
McIlroy endured a mixed first round but registered a one-under 70, which included five birdies and four bogeys, as he was backed by a raucous home crowd at Royal Portrush.
And he followed that up with a more controlled round on Friday as he carded a two-under 69 to ensure that he would make the cut for the weekend.
It is a stark contrast to six years ago when McIlroy failed to make the cut at Portrush, which included a round of 79.
In fact, he is just five shots behind clubhouse leaders Brian Harman and Li Haotong, though Matt Fitzpatrick and Scottie Scheffler are still in the mix at the top, but they are yet to finish their rounds.
And McIlroy is confident he can keep improving to mount a challenge and please the home crowd.
"I feel like my game's definitely good enough to make a run," McIlroy told reporters. "I'm excited for the weekend.
"I've been somewhat close to my best over the first two days in little bits here and there. I'm going to need to have it all under control and have it sort of all firing over the weekend to make a run.
"It was 20 years ago that I played the North of Ireland here, and never in my wildest dreams did I think that I'd be coming back as a Grand Slam champion with the support of a nation behind me, trying to win an Open Championship.
"I count myself very grateful and very lucky that I'm in this position."
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