Australian Open R2 leaderboard: McIlroy hits birdie on 18 to make the cut

Rory McIlroy says he can still mount a challenge at the Australian Open despite trailing by seven shots at the halfway stage.

The Masters champion, 36, required a birdie on the 18th hole to stick around for the weekend at Royal Melbourne. 

A second round three-under 68 saw the Northern Irishman take his score to two-under. 

He is seven shots behind the halfway leaders Denmark's Rasmus Neergaard-Peterson and Portugal's Daniel Rodrigues.  

Home favourites Adam Scott, Min Woo Lee and LIV Golf recruit Cameron Smith are also in contention. 

"Opposite wind, coming out of the south so it definitely played like a different golf course, different clubs off tees," McIlroy told Sky Sports.

"A few different options. It was great, the course is firming up. It's really making you think out there, especially with your approach shots.

"Certainly not my best stuff out there the last few days but it was nice to finish the way I did.

"It wasn't looking great after the bogey on 14, but overall, a great finish and delighted to be here for the weekend."

McIlroy hit one birdie and eight pars on the front nine. The aforementioned bogey on the 14th hole left McIlroy needing a big finish. 

He put circles on his score card at 15, 17 and 18 to make the cut. "Seven isn't too far back," McIlroy said.  

I feel if I can go out there tomorrow morning and shoot a good one, I can get myself right back in the tournament.

The Australian Open, which McIlroy won in 2013, is his final professional event of his incredible 2025 season. 

He is scheduled to take part in an exhibition match later this month before taking a break for the holidays. 

Elsewhere, notables that missed the cut include Chile's Joaquin Niemann, England's Andrew Johnston and last week's winner David Puig. 

Puig, who is also a member of LIV Golf, captured the Australian PGA Championship.