Hoylake, England. Expectations can be especially weighty when much is expected. Coming into this week after a triumph last week at the Scottish Open, Rory McIlroy knew the stakes involved at the 151st Open Championship.
The same can be said for the expectations McIlroy faced after three rounds of last year's Open at St. Andrews. McIlroy had the co-lead with Viktor Hovland and both were four shots ahead of the next competitor. McIlroy had a solo three-shot lead going into the final nine holes before Cameron Smith converted six birdies on the inward half and claimed the Claret Jug.
No one knows better than the Northern Irishman what a win at Royal Liverpool could mean for the rest of his playing career. The 34-year-old has been rightly lauded for his stellar game, yet many are left puzzled by how, after snaring four majors by the age of 25 he has remained shut out in the game's major events.
McIlroy's mission has been to push aside the distractions. His focus when going to Scotland last week and arriving in Northwest England this week has been to dwell only on the most immediate matters of concern. Nine shots behind is no small matter but McIlroy has belief that a quality third round could have him in a good position to make a final push come Sunday.
"I don't think I have to do anything differently. I'm hitting the ball well from tee-to-green. I've missed a couple of chances on the greens. The wind got me today. It's hard sometimes I'm in two minds whether to play the wind or not to play the wind."
Conditions will likely wreak havoc as rain and wind become more of a factor but McIlroy remains convinced he simply needs to keep his blinkers on and just keep moving forward.
"Nine back, but I don't think there's going to be a ton of players between me and the lead going into the weekend. Depends what the conditions are tomorrow (Saturday). Obviously, depends what Brian does as well."
McIlroy needed to finish on an upbeat note during Friday's round and a concluding birdie at the dangerous par-5 18th provided a needed boost to his confidence given the difficulty Royal Liverpool provided to those with late day tee times.
"Yeah, it played tough. It played really, really tough," said McIlroy. "10-under-par is unbelievably impressive out there. We'll see what the weekend holds. But after two days I'm actually pretty happy with my days' work."
The task ahead is certainly a daunting one but McIlroy showed a desire to get right back onto the course and push himself to the max level.
"Right now, it's not quite out of my hands, but at the same time, I think if I can get to 3, 4, 5-under par tomorrow going into Sunday, I'll have a really good chance."
Winning majors is unlike any other accomplishment in golf. The pressures are ever real and the mounting level of stress will certainly be on display with weather conditions problematic for the final 36 holes. Nonetheless, McIlroy's confidence is ever resolute.
"I think the week last week in Scotland was great preparation for what we faced the last couple of days (at Royal Liverpool)," said McIlroy. "I've felt more comfortable in the wind over the last few years, and I feel like I can perform in all sorts of conditions. Whatever it throws at us over the next couple days, I feel like I'll be prepared for."
The final 36 holes has McIlroy placed in the role of the hunter and he relishes the opportunity. He knows full well what that means and the lessons he has learned when in that position.
"Not getting ahead of yourself, not think about what could happen or what should happen or you're going to drink out of the Claret Jug," said McIlroy. "You just have to stay in the present and stay in the moment.
The Open represents the final major for 2023 and the long wait till Augusta will be nine months. McIlroy knows the necessity in closing the gap between himself and Harmon. But that climb will require him to pick his spots wisely and execute accordingly.
"I think more of the same, patience, hitting fairways, hitting greens, making good decisions. If I can do that and have a good attitude towards it all, that's what I expect of myself," said McIlroy.
Related: Facing fear at Royal Liverpool
When McIlroy claimed his first Open win in 2014 at Royal Liverpool his dominance was there for all to see. His hair has gotten just a bit grayer on the sides but the talent is ever present. Since his last major triumph at the PGA Championship at Vahalla in 2014 he has placed in the top ten in major events no less than 18 times with eight finishes in the top five. However, ultimate legacies are not determined by consistent high finishes but in wins.
A third round in a major event is appropriately called "moving day" as those trailing attempt to position themselves for a final round push. McIlroy knows the situation quite well.
Rory's story is set to add new chapters to his developing golf career. Will the mission for the next 36 holes result in magic or continued misery? Is his best ready for the test?
Key questions needing clear answers. Is McIlroy's climb up the major championship ladder going higher or will it remain in neutral?
The mission is a simple one.
The test ahead is anything but.
