It took him a while, but Rory McIlroy finally got moving in the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship.
A profitable thrust at Kingsbarns, which saw him cover his last 12 holes in six-under, lifted him into the top-20 as he set himself up for a weekend assault on the leaders.
His five-under 67 for a four-under 140 left the world No.1 five shots off the pace but with 36-holes to play over an Old Course that he savours, the reigning Open and US PGA champion is eager to make his mark in the cradle of the game. "It would mean an awful lot to win here," said the 25-year-old Northern Irishman.
"I haven't won there before, but if I didn't, you know, I wouldn't mind waiting until July next year."
McIlroy was making reference to the Open Championship, which will return to St Andrews in 2015. There's a fair bit of water to pass under the Swilcan Bridge before then, of course. Yesterday, there was fair bit of water being dumped everywhere as the heavens opened, the temperature dropped and the wind whipped up. McIlroy weathered the mild storm, though, and a superbly flighted 3-wood at the 16th - his seventh hole - which came to rest within 15-feet of the cup led to the eagle which illuminated a dour old day and ignited his surge.
"I think the eagle on 16 today sort of kick-started something for me," admitted McIlroy, who had opened his challenge with a hum-drum one-over 73 at Carnoustie on Thursday.
"I just went from there and started to knock a few putts in. I felt like I struck the ball pretty well for the first couple of days, but just to see a few putts roll in sort of gave me a little bit of confidence.
"Once I got that eagle and got back to even par, I felt that if I could get myself to four or five under par, which I was able to do, then I'd have a chance going into the weekend."
McIlroy may have his eye on the big prize but making sure he serves up a birthday treat for his dad, Gerry, on Sunday is very much in his sights. The father and son alliance are partners in the team competition here and McIlroy is eager to make sure they are still around on the final day for a celebratory amble on the Old Course as his old man turns 55.
They did themselves a few favours yesterday, with a team score of 61 which propelled them up 103 places on the leaderboard. "We made a big stride today," said McIlroy. "We shot 11 under today, so we're 13 total. We reckon around 21, 22 under will hopefully get us in to make the cut so we can play on Sunday. That's the goal.
"Hopefully I can shoot a low one and if dad can contribute somewhat we're both walking up that 18th on Sunday afternoon."
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