Rory McIlroy has become the first Irish winner of the silver medal as top amateur in the Open Championship since the late Joe Carr in 1958 after following up his opening 68 with a five-over 76 today.
A few wayward shots, one costing a double-bogey six after he found a hazard at the ninth, and several missed short putts gave the teenager from Co Down a two-over total of 144. The next best non-professional is Drew Weaver on six-over and with the cut likely to fall at four-over, McIroy will be the last amateur standing.
The 18-year-old from Holywood, the youngest player in the major, is eight shots off Spaniard Sergio Garcia's halfway lead.
Asked what his target was for the final two rounds, McIlroy told reporters: "A top-10 finish. To go out there and play well, hole a few putts. There's no reason why I can't play my way into the championship again next year."
"I'm through to the weekend so I'm relieved about that," McIlroy added. "I struggled a bit today, it was a lot tougher than yesterday.
"The wind picked up. I didn't play as well as I did yesterday but I'm happy enough. I just wanted to get out there, try my best and enjoy it. I didn't really get uptight about hitting a bad shot.
"I was a bit more calm and collected this time, more pumped up than nervous. I hit a two-iron 290 yards off the first."
McIlroy is unfazed by the huge amount of attention showered on him after his opening 68.
"I got to bed around 10 o'clock and I was up at six so I didn't have much time to dwell on it which was probably a good thing," he said. "I haven't ever played in front of crowds like today. This was my first taste and it didn't bother me at all."
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