Royal variety performance

RORY MCILROY had to be the man for all seasons to keep his Open dream alive at Royal Portrush.

- ■ from JEREMY CROSS

And come rain or shine, the Northern Irishman made sure his name was on the leaderboard, if not up in lights.

A battling round of 69 left the home hero at three under par, with those ahead right in his sights.

It will still take two rounds of perfect golf for McIlroy to stand a genuine chance of lifting the Claret Jug for the second time.

But the man himself admitted he was just glad to still be gainfully employed for the weekend.

Which is understandable, considering the last time The Open was held on these famous Dunluce links six years ago, he watched the final two rounds on TV back home having failed to make the cut. "I feel like I let myself down more than I let the fans down (last time)," said McIlroy. "It was a hard pill to swallow.