McIlroy Birdies Second Hole but Remains Seven Shots Behind Burns at The Open

Rory McIlroy holed a 20-foot putt for birdie on the second hole of the final round at The Open, The Independent reported. The shot moved him to three under par for the tournament, seven strokes behind leader Sam Burns at that stage. McIlroy had said on Saturday evening that reaching double digits under par might give him a chance to contend.

Organizers instead set Royal Birkdale with its toughest configuration for the final round, The Independent reported. Every flag position was placed behind a bunker, over a ridge, or as close to the fringe as possible. Three rounds of 62 had already equalled the major championship record on Friday and Saturday.

The 15th hole measured 241 yards as a par three, with the flag positioned nine yards in from the left bunker. England’s Matthew Southgate made three successive birdies early in his round and finished with a 66 to end the tournament at level par. Former Open champion Collin Morikawa opened with back-to-back birdies to reach four under par before making a bogey on the next hole.