From struggling at Memphis to being back in contention at Bellerive, World No. 2 Rory McIlroy has completed a turnaround for now. However, the Irishman failed to capitalize on the momentum in round two and took quick measures.

In the opening round of the BMW Championship, McIlroy shot an impressive bogey-free 6-under 64. However, he could only improve his score by one stroke on day two. 

“I feel like conditions were pretty similar to yesterday,” McIlroy told the Golf Channel. “I didn’t quite hit it as good as I did yesterday, so probably an afternoon on the range for me.”

On the front nine, McIlroy managed two birdies at the seventh and ninth holes. However, a bogey on the eighth separated them on the front nine.

The back nine was filled with par saves that the six-time major winner was proud of. 

Despite similar conditions, the wind’s new direction and soft greens posed subtle challenges.

“The wind was coming out of a different direction, but still very scorable. The greens are soft, maybe the ball’s got a little bit more run out on the fairways,” said McIlroy on Golf Channel. “But you’ll still see guys shooting pretty good scores today.”

McIlroy was right. The score went low at 63, which was shot by Norway’s Viktor Hovland. Leader Wyndham Clark backed up his first-round 64 with another on Friday. 

At the halfway stage, McIlroy is at seven-under, five strokes behind Clark but still in strong contention. 

The Northern Irishman has been successful in addressing his swing issues that plagued his FedEx St. Jude Championship performance. 

The Florida trip that turned things around

Right after the FedEx St. Jude Championship, Rory McIlroy headed home to pay a visit to his coach Michael Bannon and address the swing issues.

“It just helps my right arm work better. Just the structure of it,” McIlroy said Friday, as per PGA Tour’s Paul Hodowanic. “Then the club gets more supported at the top. And then if I’m there I feel like I can really hit whatever shot I want.” 

In the range sessions, McIlroy has been practicing with an extra lob wedge and 7-iron. Attached to both clubs is a 45-degree off-center Flat Cat putting grip. That has done all the wonders for the Northern Irishman. 

On top of that, McIlroy has a new pre-shot rehearsal that helps him replicate his range shots. The positive outcome on Bellerive is visible, and now the six-time major winner just needs the final push to cross the line.