Rory McIlroy carded a 2-under 69 in the second round of The Open to give him back-to-back under-par rounds and, most importantly, a tee time on the weekend.

At this time six years ago, Rory McIlroy was already on his way home, heartbroken about missing the cut in his first “home” British Open.

A deluge did land as McIlroy was making his way up the 18th hole, where he was greeted by a sea of umbrellas and a huge roar from the crowds huddled beneath them, who are only too delighted to have their hero around for two more days after he worked hard for a two-under second round of 69 to add to his opening 70.