Northern Irish teenager Rory McIlroy has given himself a great chance of claiming his first European Tour title after reaching the halfway stage at the Dunhill Links Championship just one shot off the lead.
The 19-year-old, who lost out in a play-off to Jean-Francois Lucquin at the European Masters in Switzerland last month, is a shot behind Austria’s Markus Brier (70 at St Andrews) after firing a 69 at Carnoustie — where he finished leading amateur in the Open last year.
Germany’s Martin Kaymer and Ryder Cup pair Soren Hansen and Robert Karlsson are all level with McIlroy, who could become the fourth-youngest winner on the Tour if he can go on to triumph today.
McIlroy revealed he had been encouraged by words of encouragement from British Open and US PGA champion Padraig Harrington.
“Padraig called me over on Wednesday and said hard luck’ and that he knew how it felt, we’ve all blown tournaments that we should have won,” he said. “He’s been second on tour 29 times and learnt how to win. He hasn’t had a second place for three years. He told me to keep getting experience, get yourself up there again and you’ll win.”
“The more you are there the more you will learn and you’ll close it out,” he said.
McIlroy finished second in this event last year in just his second event since turning professional, earning enough money to secure his European Tour card for this year.
“I’m doing as well as last year, I would love to repeat that finish and even go better,” he said. “I need to get into position first to have a chance to do that. If I do I’m sure my recent experience in Switzerland will help me.”
“It didn’t quite happen for me then but I’m playing well again this week and I’ve probably got the easiest course of the three tomorrow,” he said. “I know the top guys are having to come here to Carnoustie so if I can go out at Kingsbarns and do well I could be right up there.”
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