Rory McIlroy's Dream Week Continues at Royal Portrush

Prompted by some vulnerable moments of reflection, the Open Championship has become an unlikely forum for a philosophical, certainly shading into theological, discussion on what the point of all this is. Of playing, consuming, succeeding, and achieving in a major like this. There are a few different arguments not contradicting each other and happening at the same time, but Rory McIlroy indirectly added his contribution to it on Friday afternoon following his second round 69 that will have him playing the weekend, unlike his Royal Portrush homecoming six years ago.

“It was 20 years ago that I played the North of Ireland here, and never in my wildest dreams did I think that I'd be coming back as a grand slam champion with the support of a nation behind me trying to win an Open Championship,” McIlroy said. “I count myself very grateful and very lucky that I'm in this position, and I'm excited for the weekend.”

That feels like a purpose and point – to play for, the gratitude and fulfillment of doing so, and the joy of going for the ride for the individual and the watchers. And there are many watchers. You have no doubt read and heard about how much this crowd loves Rory. I will add a bit more, dear reader. I have never seen crowds this large in such congested spots that range essentially across the three or four hole swath of where McIlroy might be in range. Amen Corner traffic gets heavy, but this is heavier and across larger tracts. They were a few hundred or so deep in line hopelessly trying to get into the 18th grandstand about an hour before he might come through. They are eight and 10 deep around the greens and tees, and down the whole rope lines on the fairway. On Thursday, I watched a wheelchair-bound old man get rolled into and stuck in exceedingly ADA-noncompliant knee-high fescue atop a dune, just to get a glimpse. The crowd support, more in size than fervor, is not cliche, and more than you could envision when they keep hammering it to you on the broadcast.

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It’s often said the Open crowds are the most educated in golf when it comes to assessing quality play. Rory may not be the best player thus far this week, but he is unquestionably the show and should continue to be until the final hours, unless of course he’s also in contention then, too. As he finished up on 18, the rains came, which would make things more annoying for the later wave, but also take the wind out with it. So lower scores would come hours after he’d finished and the crowds spread wider around the course. For Rory, it’s been an uneven couple days of missed fairways, stolen birdies, and missed opportunities. But he’s inside the top 15 going into the weekend. He’s not the leader, but still the lead character for another day. The account will be given a full examination at the end, but the wildest dream for him and the championship continues into the weekend.

‍This piece originally appeared in the Fried Egg Golf newsletter. Subscribe for free and receive golf news and insight every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.

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