Q. How would you describe the day?
RORY McILROY: I did what I wanted to do. I thought if I could stay patient and put my ball in play off the tee, which I did pretty much all day, I only hit it in the long rough once. I was in the first cut three times and then the rest of the time I was in the fairway. So I did what I wanted to do. I just missed a few shots and a couple of -- those two bogeys on the par-5s on the front nine were unforced errors and once I was, whatever I was, 1-over through 9 and Denny was at 8-under for the tournament, it was just -- it's hard to chase on that golf course the way it's playing.
But, yeah, like I hit a couple of loose shots on the back nine that at least I know where they're coming from, which is good, but it's probably -- it's a step in the right direction. I feel a little better about everything compared to where I was a couple weeks ago at Oak Hill. So it's obviously not the result that I wanted today, but I feel like there was a few more positives than there was a couple weeks ago.
Q. Was the unforced errors on those par-5s, is it just missing the green, or is it not even being in the fairway to give yourself a better chance?
RORY McILROY: Well, I was in the fairway both times with the third shots. Both were like sort of partial wedges. One I landed a little too far, the other I landed a bit too short. Obviously with how firm it was you have to be pretty precise out there. Those were the two errors on the par-5s on the front nine.
Misjudged the wind a little bit on the par-3s on 8 and on 12. It was help ago lot more than I thought it was and I hit both of those shots over the back of the green and it was really tough to get it up-and-down from both of those spots.
Q. I'm guessing you know Tom McKibbin. Any thoughts on him?
RORY McILROY: Very well. I watched every shot this morning. I was really happy for him. For 20 years old he showed so much composure. And, yeah, look, he's been, we've all known from back home the potential that he has, but I think to break through and win for the first time at 20 years old is, there's a bright future ahead of him. And, yeah, just so happy and so proud of him, really. I've known Tom since he was 10 years old. And to see his progression and see where he is today and get that first win in Europe is, was really cool to see.
Q. Starting the week you probably came here hoping you would be in contention have a chance to win, which is exactly what you had. When you come away from here and think about it, do you feel like you at least accomplished some of your goals this week?
RORY McILROY: I do, yeah. It's funny, I have no idea where I finished, but -- and this isn't a major championship -- but I feel a lot more positive about things today than I was two weeks ago at Oak Hill. Even though the results might reflect that I had a better week at Oak Hill, for example. But I feel a lot more positive about everything going forward. It's nice. I've got next week, get straight back on the horse again in Canada and try to take the learnings from this week and try to do a little bit better next week.
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