McIlroy's Open hopes boosted by fightback

Jul 21, 2017 - 4:01 AM Rory McIlroy is confident he can still win the Open at Royal Birkdale after staging a back-nine rally to salvage his tournament.

At five over through six holes the Northern Irishman, who has missed three cuts in his last four events, was 10 shots off the lead and seemingly heading out of contention.

And the 28-year-old admitted he needed a kick up the backside from caddie JP Fitzgerald who told him 'You're Rory McIlroy, what the f*** are you doing?' on the sixth tee.

Four birdies coming home dragged him back to one over, six behind the lead set by American trio Jordan Spieth, Brooks Koepka and Matt Kuchar on Thursday.

With the weather set to worsen on Friday, McIlroy believes he can turn things around.

Showery rain and gusting winds are forecast for the morning with heavier rain expected and strengthening winds predicted in the afternoon.

McIlroy, who tees off at 9.47am, believes he can make a move before things turn bad.

"With the weather we're expecting I still feel I'm in the golf tournament," the 2014 Open champion said.

"If I can go out and play a good quality round of golf in the morning in bad conditions and shoot something in the 60s and try to get in the clubhouse somewhere around even par, under par, I feel like I'll be right there for the weekend.

"I was four-over through three holes last year in Boston (at the Deutsche Bank Championship) and won that tournament, so I've done it before."

Spieth, who goes out at 2.48pm, may find he gets the worst of the weather but he is ready for whatever the elements throw at him.

"I think experience plays a big role in dealing with conditions at an Open Championship and I feel like I've got a lot of experience having played five," said the two-time major winner.

"I've been on good ends of the draw, bad ends of the draw so I kind of understand."

"Being mentally prepared is key."

Source: AAP