Q. How important could that have been at the last?
RORY McILROY: I think they are all important. The up-and-down on 2. The up-and-down on 3. I relied on my short game a couple of times out there just to try to keep the momentum going, especially early on and then I got into it and I started to play better and hit some better shots.
Yeah, that second shot was close to hanging up there and just needed a couple more yards of cut.
Yeah, I mean, I'm three back. Matteo is playing very well. Going to need to go out and shoot something just as good if not better tomorrow to try to get the job done.
Q. Dinner wouldn't have tasted great, though, if you had not saved par?
RORY McILROY: No, it wouldn't have. Especially with all the good work I did and birdieing 17. Feels a bit like bogey but you should make 4 on that hole most times. It was good to get up-and-down and not lose an extra shot.
Q. Must be proud to be back in the mix after last week, the resilience?
RORY McILROY: Yeah, I keep saying -- some people think I took it harder than I actually did. Yeah, I'm playing well. I'm working on my game. I'm going some good practise while I'm here. Trying to stick to what I know, which is going out there and trying to shoot the best scores that I possibly can and see where it leaves me at the end of the week.
Q. To come back again --
RORY McILROY: I think it's been a familiar story with my career. I have setbacks and I usually come back pretty well from them. Some are harder than others, obviously, but I think in this game you have to be resilient.
You have to understand and recognise that you're going to lose a lot more than you win, and you have to be okay with that and you have to accept that. I've definitely been on that accepting side this year, but it's good to be back in the mix.
Q. Talking about the crowd, you have so much home support here?
RORY McILROY: It's unbelievable. Last week, this week, Scottish Open a few week the ago, The Open. It's just so good to come back here and play golf. It's an absolute pleasure. I really enjoyed it this year, more so than other years for whatever reason that is.
Q. The fight tonight --
RORY McILROY: Yeah, big fight fan. Looking forward to it. Watched AJ six or seven times. Looking forward to it.
Q. And Matteo, how impressive that he's back?
RORY McILROY: It's unbelievable. I don't think you would find one player on tour that isn't so happy for him. To be like a young phenom and then lose your game, and go play the Alps Tour and play; I guess the character that you need to do that.
Yeah, it's amazing to see. I was really impressed when I played with him in Scotland earlier this year in July and obviously the final round together last week; again, this week.
It's really great to see. He's such a nice guy, level-headed and good to see him back to where he belongs.
Q. Do you feel you're due one tomorrow or is that a dangerous one to go down?
RORY McILROY: I haven't won since may but given myself plenty of chances. I'm due but that doesn't mean it's necessarily going to happen. I've always liked being in this position, a couple back, trying to get off to a fast start. Hopefully I can do that and put some pressure on early doors.
FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports