Q. Nice 65 today. What was the key to turning it around and having a nice day?
RORY McILROY: Yeah, probably the start. I got off to a pretty fast start, 3-under through 5 and 5-under through 9. Wish I had made a couple more coming in, but overall a good day's work and hopefully it puts me within touching distance going into tomorrow.
Q. Did you have an idea of what you might want to shoot today to have a chance for tomorrow?
RORY McILROY: Yeah, honestly, once I turned in 5-under I thought if I could play the back in 3 and get to 10-under for the day I thought that would be, I would have a really good chance then. So, a little disappointed not to pick any more up on the back nine, but definitely an improvement on today.
Q. Did it feel satisfying to finally get some circles on the scorecard on the front nine?
RORY McILROY: Yeah, it did. Yeah, I've gotten off to a bit of a slow start the last couple days, so to start like that and at least play the easier holes better, play 4 and 5 in 3-under was nice. Yeah, it's always nice to get momentum early in the round and try to keep it going.
Q. You talk a lot about the fan support here, but again more of the same for you today, do you think?
RORY McILROY: Yeah, it's incredible. I do, I feel like, I feel like an honorary Canadian at this point and the support I get here is amazing. I keep saying it, but just a pleasure to play in an atmosphere like that. The crowds are so good, they're so supportive, so enthusiastic, looking forward to one more day of it.
Q. Was there something in particular you found on the range last night, ball striking-wise that made a difference today?
RORY McILROY: Yeah, I just felt like I just got a little out of sync, so just worked a little bit on sort of tempo and rhythm and just slowing the transition down from the top. That was really it. It wasn't a ton of technical stuff, but just needed to try to sync it up again.
Q. When you left the range last night did you think, okay --
RORY McILROY: I felt a little better, yeah, definitely felt better than I felt on the course.
Q. You mentioned working on your tempo between yesterday and today. Was there any adjustment in mindset as well or is it just like you said, more technical?
RORY McILROY: No, not particularly. Again, it's a golf course where with the way the new green complexes are you can't be super aggressive, because you miss it in the wrong spot or get one of those runoffs. So you want to try to be aggressive, but the course only allows you to be, only allows you to be so aggressive. So, just picking your spots. When I hit good drives and had wedges in that was the time to really attack, but there's some holes where you just get through the par and you're pretty happy.
Q. Over the course of the week how has the way the course has playing changed given there was rain to start the week, but now it's drying out and the grass might be getting a little bit longer?
RORY McILROY: Yeah, the fairways are firming up a little bit. The rough has been pretty lush all week. The greens are still pretty receptive. Quite surprised that they are still so receptive. There was a couple on the back nine that were definitely drying out, so hopefully as the day goes on the sun keeps shining, the course will playing it will be perfect for tomorrow, as long as between get any rain.
Q. Looked like you were chuckling at The Rink there. What was that about?
RORY McILROY: Not sure. Not sure. (Laughing).
Q. Why does that work here and not get too out of hand?
RORY McILROY: I don't know. I think people just know when to cheer and then when to quiet down and be respectful. I mean, look, you still have to, you know, there's a couple times you have to back off because people don't time their, whatever it is they want to say quite right. But, yeah, it's -- obviously hockey is the national sport here and to try to incorporate some of that into a golf tournament is pretty cool.
Q. Any specific adjustments you're going to be making going into Sunday?
RORY McILROY: Not particularly. Try to play the 17th better, if I have a shot and have a chance to win. Overall feel like I've got the hang of the way I want to play the golf course and started to execute a bit better today, so just try to do more of the same.
Q. What's it like playing with Tom Kim? Looked like you guys were having some fun convos out there.
RORY McILROY: Yeah, I always enjoy playing with Tom. First chance I got to play with him was back at I think Congaree in 2022. So, yeah, I've been playing with him now for the last couple years and him having Pauley on the bag as well is always fun. I always enjoyed playing with Webb whenever Pauley was on his bag, and now that he's on Tom's we always seem to have a good day out there.
FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports