2024 Irish Open scores: Rory McIlroy in contention heading into the weekend at Royal County Down

McIlroy finds himself in position to claim a trophy on his native Northern Ireland

Another under-par round at a difficult Royal County Down has Northern Ireland's very own in position to claim the 2024 Irish Open halfway through the event. Following up an opening 68 with a 1-under 70 on Friday, Rory McIlroy heads into the weekend at 4 under and only one off the pace set by the early 36-hole leaders Laurie Canter and Todd Clements.

"The conditions were quite benign for the first probably 11 or 12 holes," McIlroy said. "Felt like I could have done a little more to take advantage of them. But then, you know, once the sun sort of went away, it got a little colder again and the wind picked up and then those last few holes are playing quite difficult. So sort of felt like I played pretty good on the way in. Dropped one shot but overall, another under-par round, pretty pleased with."

Beginning his day on the second nine at Royal County Down, McIlroy meandered into his round. A left miss off the tee handcuffed the world No. 3 on the par-5 12th before another left miss — this time with an iron in hand — on the par-3 14th led to his second consecutive bogey on that hole.