Rory McIlroy feels he can still claim his second US Open crown, despite sitting four shots off the lead at the halfway stage.
The Northern Irishman fired rounds of 73 and 70 to leave him on +3 after 36 holes, four back from joint leaders, Phil Mickelson and Billy Horschel.
McIlroy, whose halfway total of 143 was matched by playing partner Tiger Woods, remains upbeat that he can make up the ground over the last two days.
The 24-year-old insisted: “I’m very happy. I’m right in there for the weekend.
“I don’t think I’ll be too far away by the end of the day, in a nice position going into the last two days.”
The stats though suggest there might be too much to do for the 2011 winner, who has yet to win a tournament in 2013.
In the last 17 US Opens, 16 of the eventual winners have been within two shots of the lead at the halfway stage.
Nine players are currently within two shots of the two leaders, including English duo Luke Donald and Justin Rose, who are currently tied third on level par.
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