McIlroy's Range Time: Improving After BMW Championship Struggles

Rory McIlroy hit the driving range hard after slipping in his second round of the BMW Championship. Following a solid opening round where he shot six-under-par, McIlroy settled for a 69 on Friday, leaving him trailing behind the leader at Bellerive.

McIlroy's Second Round Performance

Despite the promising start, McIlroy managed to improve his total score by only one stroke. “I didn’t quite hit it as good as I did yesterday,” he explained to the Golf Channel, acknowledging his need for some practice. He highlighted that the conditions remained favorable, noting that even with a change in wind direction, the course was still set up for strong scoring.

While reflecting on his performance, McIlroy admitted to frustration over a single error on the par-five eighth that resulted in a bogey. However, he showcased resilience on the back nine, sinking crucial par putts that kept him within striking distance.

The Leaderboard Shuffle

Sitting at 11 under, American Wyndham Clark emerged as the halfway leader with back-to-back rounds of 64. Clark, who hasn't dropped a single shot, is asserting himself as a formidable opponent. Following him is Gary Woodland, just one stroke back, while JJ Spaun also made headlines, briefly threatening to run away with the second round before finishing at 10 under thanks to strong performances early on.

World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler, who faced challenges with a two-over start, salvaged his round with five birdies but still finds himself tied for 25th at three under. The competition is heating up as players jockey for position heading into the weekend.

Fan Support at Bellerive

McIlroy took a moment to express gratitude toward the fans who showed up to support him at Bellerive. He recalled the electric atmosphere from the 2018 PGA Championship, reminding us of the importance of crowd energy in the game. "Yesterday was amazing for a Thursday," he noted, emphasizing the excitement of playing in front of enthusiastic supporters.

What's Next for McIlroy?

As the championship progresses, McIlroy is keen on regaining the momentum he had on Thursday. His focus now shifts to refining his game on the driving range, adjusting what needs to be improved for the remaining rounds. With the weekend ahead, all eyes will be on his ability to bounce back from this minor setback. Keep an eye on how he adapts and takes it to the course.

For more on McIlroy's preparations, check out how he is aiming to tweak his game before the playoffs in our article on McIlroy's adjustments.

Tune in to Sky Sports Golf to catch all the action as McIlroy and others battle it out for the title in the BMW Championship.

Don’t miss updates on his journey and see if he can make a comeback worthy of his six major titles. Although he’s facing stiff competition as evident in his recent matches, McIlroy's determination never falters.

Related on Ni4o: Rory McIlroy Calls Scottish Open Ideal Prep for The Open · McIlroy Fades in Fog as Fitzpatrick Grabs Share of Scottish Open Lead · Rory McIlroy Aims to Tweak Game Before The Open