Lahiri, Kapur shoot 73, McIlroy roars

SOUTHPORT (England), july  21

Rory McIlroy's swagger returned in the British Open second round on Friday as the world No. 4 shot a superb 68 in brutal conditions to move within four shots of the overnight leaders. The Northern Irishman started his opening round poorly before battling back to post a 71 and he mastered fierce crosswinds to pick up three birdies in the first six holes of round two at Royal Birkdale.

After bogeying the 13th and 15th, McIlroy calmly rolled in an eight-foot birdie putt at the 17th and finished at one under par to stay firmly in contention to win his fifth major title.

“To be under-par for this championship after the way I started, I'm ecstatic with that,” the 28-year-old told reporters. “I think anything around even par today is going to be a great score. I got off to a good start, which I think is important today. The back nine is playing really, really difficult. So to birdie three of the first six and give myself that little bit of a cushion to play with was nice.”

He cut a dejected figure after slumping to five over par after six holes on Thursday, but the spring has clearly returned to his step.

Lahiri, Kapur shoot 73

Anirban Lahiri and Shiv Kapur carded an identical 73 in the second round to finish at tied-79 at the British Open here today. While Kapur scored five bogeys and two birdies, Lahiri carded four bogeys and a birdie. — Agencies