The Open: Rory McIlroy ready to attack Royal Birkdale with driver in hope of rallying for fresh major title challenge

Rory McIlroy is ready to attack Royal Birkdale with the driver as much as possible as he targets a fast start to force his way back into contention at The 154th Open. <p>McIlroy bounced back from an opening-round 72 to post a three-under 67 in the best of Friday's conditions, mixing four birdies with a lone bogey to leave himself seven strokes behind clubhouse leader Lucas Herbert.</p><p>The world No 2 was level par for his round until he followed a birdie at the eighth by driving the par-four ninth green and two-putting from 10 feet for another, with a further birdie at the par-five 14th moving him under-par for the tournament.</p><ul><li><strong><a href="https://www.skysports.com/golf/news/12176/13563608/the-open-2026-leaderboard-latest-golf-scores-from-royal-birkdale-and-weather-tee-times-for-final-mens-major-of-the-year">The Open: Latest leaderboard and scores </a></strong></li><li><a href="https://www.skysports.com/golf/live-blog/12040/13564142/the-open-2026-second-round-live-latest-updates-highlights-scores-as-rory-mcilroy-bryson-dechambeau-scottie-scheffler-feature-at-royal-birkdale"><strong>Recap: The Open - second round as it happened</strong></a></li><li><strong><a href="https://www.skysports.com/golf/news/12176/13561596/the-open-2026-tv-coverage-royal-birkdale-schedule-start-times-featured-groups-and-how-to-watch-or-stream-major-on-sky-sports">When is The Open on Sky?