If I lose I'll go down swinging - McIlroy ready for Carnoustie battle

It has not quite worked out for Rory McIlroy in the majors this year, but he vowed to take a brave approach over the weekend at The Open.

Published : Jul 20, 2018 19:15 IST

Rory McIlroy believes his tentative approach to the majors this year has taught him to "go down swinging" regardless of where that leaves him on the final leaderboard.

The Northern Irishman admits he has been too cautious at majors this season, having seen a great chance to win the Masters slip away before missing the cut at the U.S. Open.

READ: Fleetwood cards fine 65 to share Open lead

But McIlroy has been in decent form at The Open so far this week and he carded a second consecutive 69 in round two at Carnoustie, which put him two shots back from clubhouse leader Zach Johnson.

Had it not been for bogeys at the 12th and 15th, and if several near misses for birdie had dropped, then McIlroy could have been sitting even prettier heading into the weekend.

And McIlroy is determined to give it his best shot no matter what that means come Sunday.

"[I was] worrying too much about the result, not focusing as much on the process," he said.

"Sunday at Augusta was a big learning curve again for me because, even if I hadn't won that tournament, but I went down swinging and aggressive and committing to every shot, I would have walked away a lot happier.

"So, I'm committed to making sure, even if I don't play my best golf and don't shoot the scores I want, I'm going to go down swinging, and I'm going to go down giving it my best. 

"I think that was it. Focusing on the results too much. The result is just the by-product of all the little things you do to lead up to that. I've sometimes forgotten that, and just need to get back in that mindset."

ALSO READ: McIlroy's youthful exuberance could be a bad sign for Carnoustie contenders

It is the fifth time that McIlroy has started a major championship with a pair of scores in the 60s and he has gone on to win the past three when he has done so.

And McIlroy is convinced that he can card a score in the lower 60s over the weekend.

"I feel like there is low rounds in me. I felt very comfortable out there," he added.

"I played within myself. I haven't taken on too much. It has felt, I don't want to say easy, but it's felt comfortable. 

"If I can get on a run or get off to a fast start in the next couple of days, I don't see a ridiculously low score out there, but I definitely see something like what Tommy [Fleetwood] shot, a 66 or a 65. I think I'm capable of that."

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