McIlroy makes Australian Open cut with birdie at 18th

Second-round leaderboard for the Australian Open

-9 D Rodrigues (Por), R Neergaard-Petersen (Den), -8 MW Lee (Aus), -7 C Smith (Aus), A Scott (Aus), C Ortiz (Mex), -6 C Surrat (USA), R Caberro Bello (Spa), W Ding (Chi), K Aphibarnrat (TH), D Hillier (Aus), R Fox (Aus), SW Woo (KR)

In the second round, Rory McIlroy needed to birdie for the Australian Open at Royal Melbourne by par on the 18th hole.

The Masters champion moved to two-under after two rounds with a third-round score of 68 to finish within the cut line.

The Northern Irishman bounced back in the second round to finish one under nine under, making three birdies in the final four holes to move seven shots clear of joint leaders Daniel Rodrigues and Rasmus Neergaard-Petersen, who are both nine under.

McIlroy, who has won the Australian Open for the first time since 2014, put together a strong front nine with a birdie and eight pars.

On the par-five fourteenth, he struggled with a bogey that included a rare air shot, making four more pars before returning to the clubhouse.

He made the cut and continued to rise steadily up the leaderboard thanks to a birdie at the 15th, 17th, and 18th.

McIlroy thought the conditions had improved significantly in comparison to the challenging crosswinds he faced in the opening day.

He told Sky Sports, “Opposite wind coming out of the south definitely played like a different golf course, different clubs off tees.”

“A few different choices. The course is getting better, and it was great. You’re really getting creative, especially with your approach shots.

It was nice to finish the way I did, despite the fact that it wasn’t my best work the last few days were.

After the bogey on 14, the finish was disappointing, but we were pleased to be here for the weekend.

The 36-year-old also believes that a successful third round debut could prepare him for a Stonehaven Cup run.

Seven isn’t too far back, but I think I can get myself back into the tournament if I shoot a good one there tomorrow morning.

Cameron Adam, a professional golfer from Scotland, also made the cut with a 64 in the second round to move to one-under after two rounds.