TROON, Scotland (AP) -- The way Rory McIlroy is hitting the ball, he doesn't feel as though he should be eight shots behind 36-hole leader Phil Mickelson in the British Open. Blame that on the weather. McIlroy's side of the draw got the worst of it over the opening two rounds at Royal Troon.
Except that McIlroy's knows better not to complain.
Two years ago at Royal Liverpool, he was on the good side of the draw. McIlroy had a four-shot lead after two rounds and sailed to victory. So after coming in from the rain and wind - particularly one 90-minute stretch on the back nine - he was not surprised at how the leaderboard looked.