Danny Willett and Rory McIlroy found that the chilly morning air at the Irish Open had a cooling effect on their games.
The two players who tore it up on Thursday, struggled on Friday and watched as Marc Warren from England put up the day’s best round — a six-under par 66 at the challenging K-Club.
Warren’s round got him to eight-under par and tied him at the top with first round leader Danny Willett.
“Anything under 72 is a really good score this morning so I’m really pleased with 66,” Warren said after he jumped to the top with Willett.
Willett could do no better than a one-under par 71 and he was fortunate to be there as his iron game wasn’t as crisp as it was on Thursday.
Same for McIlroy, who did manage to hole a 20-footer for birdie at his final hole, the ninth, on an otherwise unexciting day for the tournament host. “It changed my round a little bit,” McIlroy said, admitting he was “frustrated” most of the morning. “It gives me a little bit of momentum going into the weekend,” said McIlroy, who has struggled at the event. “I’m excited to be up there in contention,” McIlroy said.
McIlroy made six birdies on the day, that was the good news. “The birdies are there, I just need to limit the mistakes,” he pointed out, mapping his plan for the final 36 holes.
McIlroy shot 70 and is at seven-under, one back of the co-leaders.
