GOLF
McIlroy 'excited for challenge' in second half of Players Championship
Rory McIlroy is "excited for the challenge" posed at the Players Championship in the next two days, where the weather could play a big part in deciding the result.
The Northern Irishman is two off the halfway lead despite a disappointing finish to his second round at Sawgrass, with Min Woo Lee and Akshay Bhatia sitting top after two rounds on 11 under.
McIlroy produced a much-improved display off the tee and topped the leaderboard at one stage after six birdies in his first 11 holes.
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However, two bogeys on the last four holes saw him card 68 in the second round, going into Saturday's play on nine under as he sits joint-fourth with Collin Morikawa and Alex Smalley.
"I think I hit more fairways in six holes [on Friday] than I did in 18 [on Thursday]," McIlroy said.
"I got it in play much better and then from there, I was able to give myself some opportunities and obviously make some birdies early. I couldn't quite continue that on to the back nine, but it was much better off the tee."
Saturday is expected to see heavy winds, while day four has a high chance of storms, which could severely affect play, but McIlroy is not shying away from the challenge.
"I'm looking forward to it," McIlroy said of what lies ahead. "I think it's going to be really important to try to flight your ball and keep it under the tree line.
"This course is challenging enough, but with a wind like that … I'm excited for that challenge."
— THE PLAYERS (@THEPLAYERS) March 14, 2025
Meanwhile, Morikawa, who finished as runner-up at last week's Arnold Palmer Invitational, stayed in contention after a second-round 65.
The American came close to getting a hole-in-one on the 17th and hit two chip-in birdies, and Morikawa is delighted with his position at the halfway stage.
"I'm very pleased, thrilled with the round," he told Sky Sports.
"I didn't feel as though I hit it really great, but I took advantage of a lot of shots and made a couple of key chip-ins midway through the round.
"I knew I had to focus this week on a golf course like this. It sucks the position I was in [at Bay Hill last week] and not winning, but it's a new week and new opportunities are in front of me.
"Thankfully, through two days, I've put myself in position."
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