I felt the love of the crowd – emotionally McIlroy & # 039; proud of Portrush & # 039;

Rory McIlroy turns the style on in a remarkable polished chase during the Open

An emotional Rory McIlroy said he lacked the cut in his house Open Pain but the "love" of the crowd spurred him on to a remarkable round at Royal Portrush.

After an eight-over-par opening round, McIlroy faced an enormous task of making the weekend for what Northern Ireland & # 39; s first staging of The Open has been in 68 years.

The Northern Irishman, 30, recorded seven birdies in a second round 65 but missed the cut line by a shot.

"I wish I could be part of it for two more days," he told the BBC.

"But I will not look back this week with anything but affection and positivity and I cannot wait to come back here and play in another Open Championship.

" I am so proud of it Portrush, this country, Northern Ireland, the R & A for bringing back here, and everyone involved. It means the world to me. "

World number three McIlroy shot a track record 61 on the Dunluce left when he was 16 years old, but a 64 would have done it for the four-fold big winner on Friday

He made two birdies on the front nine and after knocking back three times in so many holes after the turn, the support for the home favorite became louder and the atmosphere more intense with every shot.

A bogey at 13 threatened to derail McIlroy, but he hit straight back with another birdie and that seemed to be even more hype for his fans.

McIlroy retreated once more to the imposing 16th, known as Calamity Corner and made his way to the 17th tee & # 39; high-fiving & # 39; kids knowing that another bird in the last two holes would do it.

"It was one of the nicest runs of golf I have ever played," he said.

"Today I really felt the love of the crowd , so many of them out there w and I want me to be there for the weekend. "

A little bird spotted McIlroy at 5 pm, but a drive to the center of the fairway on the last hole allowed fans to sprint and make their way along the ropes trying to get a good view of the 18th green.

McIlroy & # 39; s approach drifted to the left, but the sound went up again and the savage roar echoing around the grandstand made it feel like this was the last group on Sunday for the Claret Jug instead. of a man behind the cut.

The Open champion of 2014 had left himself too much work in. He made it up and down from the margin in two strokes for par, but that was one too many.

Analysis

BBC wave correspondent Iain Carter:

Rory McIlroy shot a second round 65 and missed the cut. Think about it.

It shows us what kind of class he is, but the point is still that yesterday was an absolute wave disaster .

We said this would be a very special Open for all sorts of reasons. This was one of those moments that tells you why. I have never seen scenes like this for a player who tried to make the cut on Friday night.

McIlroy & # 39; s misery – Worst moments of a disastrous day for Rory