Rory McIlroy holds onto hope at Australian Open

Author Photo
Sporting News Logo

"No, definitely not and definitely not on this golf course where there can be a lot of two-shot swings," McIlroy said when asked if Scott's four-shot cushion is insurmountable.

MORE: Adam Scott wary of McIlroy on is tail | Adam Scott closing in on history

"Even the first couple of holes, if someone makes a couple of pars and somebody gets off to a flying start and makes a birdie and an eagle, you're right back in it.

"There are plenty of chances out there, it's just a matter of taking the opportunities when they come."

McIlroy lamented lost opportunities including a crucial 1m birdie putt he missed on the 18th hole to card a two-under 70 and fall a further shot behind Scott.

"It was big," he said of his miss.

"Obviously I expected Adam to make his and I actually hit a good putt, I just misread it slightly.

"It would have been nice to birdie that and obviously have the gap from four to three, but I'll still have to play really well tomorrow and just try and close that gap as fast as I can.

"It probably should have been a couple of shots better today. I feel like I left a couple out there on the back nine, so that means I'm four back going into tomorrow and I've obviously got a tough job on my hands to try and catch Adam."

But McIlroy says he won't force the action on Sunday as look looks to chase down Scott.

"Trailing by two and trailing by four is a little bit different but I don't think I should really be doing anything different," he said.

"I don't think I should be changing my game plan in any way.

"Everyone knows what the birdie-able holes are out there and it's just about trying to take your chances on those and hopefully he doesn't take all his chances on those ones too."

Author(s)