Home favourite Rory McIlroy achieved the first part of his mission at Royal Portrush on Friday -- making the cut.

Follow live coverage of the third round at the Open Championship as Scottie Scheffler looks to build his lead at Royal Portrush

Bookmark this play if Rory McIlroy is in the mix this weekend for the claret jug. McIlroy overcame a shaky driver to turn in a one-under 70 Thursday at Royal Portrush and opened his second round with a birdie.

Rain lashed from above, North Atlantic winds pummeled from the side, and thousands of excited, umbrella-wielding shapes swirled amongst it all, yet the man at the eye of the storm remained entirely unflustered.

World number two Rory McIlroy says he "could be a couple closer to the lead" at the halfway stage of the 153rd Open Championship at Royal Portrush but described his position as "decent" heading into the weekend.

Golf fans will never (ever) be able to hit a golf ball like Rory McIlroy, but they can at least try to practice chipping like the five-time major champ this week. Well, the way he practiced long (long) before he was ever even a one-time major champ.