Sir Nick Faldo has thrown in his two cents regarding Rory McIlroy's game plan at the US Open, advising the Northern Irishman to play it safe if he wants to clinch his first major win after a decade-long drought.
Shining amidst challenging conditions throughout the initial 36 holes, McIlroy wooed with moments of his trademark excellence during Thursday's opening round. Comfortably navigating the arduous Pinehurst No. 2, McIlroy kicked off with a spectacular five-under-par 65.
This performance placed him elbow-to-elbow with Ryder Cup adversary Patrick Cantlay at the summit of the leaderboard as day one concluded. Despite this strong commencement, Friday saw McIlroy unable to capitalise further, rounding out the second round with a two-over 72.
Yet, despite the setback in momentum, McIlroy stands poised and determined to snap his ten-year wait for a fifth major championship title as the weekend looms. Six-time major champ Faldo believes McIlroy is in a prime position for contention, though he emphasised caution in conversation with Sky Sports.
"Rory has just got to find a way to slow this down," he remarked. "He drives the course beautifully and is a great thinker but he knows the weekend will be tough. They wanted just in the red to win this so he is right there. It is going to be a game of survival. Watch the others, it is highly unlikely someone is going to scream out there.
"You just don't waste any shots- birdies are really tough to get, it is more defending, being smart, so you just avoid making too many bogeys. You have got to look at the other guys and go 'do you know what, I have either got one name I have got to beat or I am good, I have just got to relax and play and I know I am that good.'
"He is physically fit as a fiddle isn't he, great shape. when he is on, he is the best in the world. He has just got to keep doing that as much as possible."
McIlroy was apart of the early wave on Friday, whilst his Thursday co-leader Cantlay was involved in the second half of the round two draw.
Alongside McIlroy and Cantlay, Bryson DeChambeau, Ludvig Aberg and Thomas Detry are among those also in contention. Despite failing to make ground on Friday, the Northern Irishman took plenty of positives out of his second 18 holes.
"Yeah, obviously not quite as well as yesterday," McIlroy said post-round.
"But I feel like the golf course plays a little more difficult, even though we were off in the morning. Some of the hole locations were definitely a little tougher. Sort of had to have your wits about you. I putted it off one green there on 17. Yeah, overall I felt like I did a pretty good job at keeping some of the mistakes off the scorecard.
"I wish I had converted a couple more of the chances. Hit the ball pretty well. I think only missed one fairway. So I had plenty of opportunities. Yeah, wasn't quite as good with the putter today. Still overall in a great position going into the weekend."