High-flying McIlroy determined he will return to St Andrews eyeing Open

Published on Friday 2 October 2009 22:55

RORY McIlroy may have his sights set on moving into pole position in the 'Race to Dubai' this weekend but the rising star of European golf also has one eye on a much bigger golfing prize.

"I'm already looking forward to next year's Open," admitted the 20-year-old after earning a share of the halfway lead in the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship after a seven-under-par 65 at St Andrews, venue for the world's oldest major next summer. "When I stand up on the first tee here, it fills me with confidence because I know I've played well around the Old Course before – I'm very comfortable on it."

McIlroy, who will leapfrog both Martin Kaymer and Paul Casey to take over top spot on the European Tour Order of Merit if he either wins or finishes second this week, was particularly pleased that his latest round had seen him finish 3-3 as he moved to 11-under for the tournament.

Those closing birdies also proved helpful for McIlroy and his dad, Gerry, in their bid to be among the 20 pro-am pairings that will make it through to the final round over the Old Course tomorrow.

"I three-putted the 16th for my first bogey of the day and, on the way to the 17th tee, my dad said, 'You've finished 3-3 before, so why don't you do it again'," revealed McIlroy, who duly hit a 7-iron to 15 feet at the Road Hole and then drove the green at the last.

"It was the first time that I'd driven the 18th here and, helped by a good bounce, it was nice to finally do so," he added.

"My Dad's loving it. He's helped me twice each day so far, so he's going to have to chip in a little bit more if we want to win the team event – unless I can do something very special."

Like McIlroy, his Northern Ireland compatriot, Michael Hoey, is a proven links winner, having lifted the Amateur Championship at Prestwick eight years ago.

The 30-year-old has also tasted success already this season when winning the Estoril Open and he's given himself another chance after earning a share of the halfway lead after a second-round 66 at Carnoustie. "That's probably the best round of golf I've ever played," said Hoey afterwards.

"I hit a lot of 2-irons off the tee to get into good positions and didn't really miss too many fairways."

Ominously placed, just one shot behind the three co-leaders, is Englishman Simon Dyson, currently enjoying the best form of his career. He won the Dutch Open in August and has chalked up two more top-ten finishes since then.

After signing for a 66 at St Andrews – his best effort in 30 or so rounds – he said: "I'm the happiest away from the golf course that I've ever been due to the fact I live with my girlfriend and she's a great girl. I'm also a lot more professional about everything I do now."

On a day of low scoring at all three courses, Mikko Ilonen, who succeeded Hoey as the Amateur champion, shot a best-of-the-day 64 at St Andrews, where Luke Donald moved into contention thanks to a 65 for seven-under.

Thomas Bjorn, the first-round leader, is one shot back after a 74 at Carnoustie, Padraig Harrington is four-under after a second successive 70, the latest one at St Andrews, while defending champion Robert Karlsson has work to do to make the cut on one-over.

In the team event, Steve Waugh, the former Australia cricket captain, and fellow countryman Scott Strange are leading the way on 21-under after a second-round team score of 58 at Kingsbarns.

Manuel de Los Santos, the one-legged golfer from the Dominican Republic, and Englishman Richard Bland are lying joint 13th on 15-under after a 63 at Carnoustie.