Rory McIlroy’s aerial swing turns into a weekend lifeline – Australian golfer

Rory McIlroy’s aerial swing on the 14th hole almost cost him a place in the Australian Open weekend field. On a tricky recovery attempt from the tea trees, he missed the ball completely, leading to a bogey and dropping it outside the cut line.

“I had to play those last four holes the way I did,” McIlroy said after the round. “I had to play those last four holes the way I did. Not one of my finer moments on 14, I can’t remember the last time I had a breath of fresh air.”

And he delivered. The Northern Irishman birdied three of his last four holes, including a clutch finish on 18, to sign for a 68 and move to two under – comfortably within the cut.

Leaderboard of the Australian Open after round 2
–9 Rasmus Neergaard-Petersen, David Rodrigues

–8 difficult
–7 Carlos Ortiz, Adam Scott, Cam Smith
–6 Cridch Aphiles, Rafa Mafflas-Bello, Ding Weni, Ryan Fox, Surol Hiller