Despite being nine-strokes back, Rory McIlroy still likes his chances at The Open

HOYLAKE, England – Only at Royal Liverpool can a nine-shot lead feel so surmountable.

Following another eventful round, Rory McIlroy seemed unfazed by his position, nine shots behind second-round front-runner Brian Harman. Instead, the world No. 2 was focused on his chances to end a major drought that stretches back to 2014.

“I might be nine back, but I don't think there's going to be a ton of players between me and the lead going into the weekend,” McIlroy said. “It depends what the conditions are tomorrow. Obviously depends what Brian does, as well. Right now it's not quite out of my hands, but at the same time, I think if I can get to 3, 4, 5 under par tomorrow going into Sunday, I'll have…