McIlroy odds-on for US Open glory after going six clear
Published:Rory McIlroy showed that his US Open form was no one-day wonder after a round of 66 on day two saw him pull six shots clear at the top of the leaderboard.
As a result, the 22-year-old has been backed in from 9/4 to 1/3 to win the major despite fears of a collapse like the one he suffered at the Masters in April, surrendering a four-shot lead on the Sunday having set the pace throughout.
There is good reason for the amount of support the Northern Irishman has received because not only does that painful experience in Augusta appear to have made him stronger, he’s playing even better in Maryland.
Having been three ahead of the chasing pack on Thursday and six by the close of play on Friday, McIlroy looks likely to head into Sunday with such a convincing advantage that he will even be able to afford a few final-day wobbles.
Compatriot Graeme McDowell was first at this stage last year and went on to triumph, while six shots is comfortably the biggest margin anyone has led by after two days at the US Open since Tiger Woods’ dominant display in 2000.
The 14-time major winner was also six clear at this point and was crowned champion by 15 strokes, the most emphatic victory in history. McIlroy is the first player since to hold a day two advantage of more than three shots.
There will undoubtedly be plenty of punters banking on the Ulsterman throwing it away again and if you are one of those then his main rival is judged to be second placed Yang Yong-eun at 8/1.
Another price that jumps out is the 16/1 on Phil Mickelson being the winner without McIlroy, given that the American is a five-time runner-up. Admittedly, he is currently six shy of the South Korean.
