McIlroy survives cut, trails by seven in Melbourne

December 6, 2025 Oliver Obel

Rory McIlroy kept his week going at Royal Melbourne, turning what looked like a fading round into a determined push that carried him into the weekend. The four-time major winner pieced together a three-under 68 on Friday, avoiding what would have been a surprising early exit.

The tournament’s early storyline, however, belonged to Daniel Rodriques and Rasmus Neergaard-Peterson. The two surged to the top of the leaderboard at nine under, a pace that left much of the field including McIlroy needing to respond. According to reporting from AP and Sky Sports, Min Woo Lee sat close behind them, continuing the strong showing from the home contingent.

A difficult start to the day

McIlroy began the morning with little margin for error after opening with a 72. The wind that had unsettled much of the field returned, and early on his round reflected the cautious adjustments players were making. A lone birdie and a string of pars stabilized his position, though it never quite felt comfortable.

The tension peaked at the par-five 14th. As AP described it, McIlroy’s tee shot leaked right and settled under a tea tree a spot that offered almost no clean swing. His attempt to punch out caught a branch, resulting in what he later called a “whiff.” He salvaged bogey but momentarily dropped outside the projected cut.

Regrouping when it mattered

What followed looked more like vintage McIlroy than the uneven stretches that came before. He steadied himself with a precise tee shot at the par-three 15th, setting up a much-needed birdie. A quiet par at 16 kept the momentum intact.

The highlight arrived on the 17th. From a patch of rough that most players would have treated defensively, McIlroy carved a bold line through a small bush and nearly jarred the shot for eagle. He tapped in for birdie, eliciting roars from the surrounding gallery. Another birdie at 18 sealed a finish that moved him to one under roughly 20 places higher than he had stood an hour earlier.

Looking ahead to the weekend

Although still seven shots behind the leaders, McIlroy shrugged off the gap with characteristic optimism.

“With the wind, it played like a different golf course today,” he told reporters. “I certainly haven't played my best over the past couple of days, but it was nice to finish the way I did. Delighted to be here for the weekend… seven isn't too far back.”

Reflecting on the mishit under the trees, he added, “Not one of my finer moments, but nice to be able to come back over the last few holes.”

McIlroy now enters the weekend chasing not leading but his late surge on Friday ensured he remains firmly part of the conversation.

Sources: AP, Sky Sports.