Q. You're talking about the crazy odyssey going out not knowing where you're at and what round and weird hours and all. You're able to go out there and put up a great number so far so good, right?

RORY McILROY: Yeah, I've played really solid this afternoon. It could have been a couple better, but there's a couple of pin positions that are pretty accessible on the back 9.

Got off to a nice start. Birdied 11 and 14. It's been pretty solid and I got through the first there and have more to go and hopefully pick up a couple more birdies and try and post a pretty good number.

Q. Is it a bit frustrating to be out there, and your game is going really well, things are going along well for you and then to have to stop, go home, go to bed, come back?

RORY McILROY: The last two groups go off the first tee as well, we played nine holes, and getting on the first tee for 20 minutes and had to start back again.

So it is very stop/start, but it's frustrating when you get a bit of a good run going that you have to stop and try and do it all over again tomorrow.

Q. You talked earlier about courses, this is your first U.S. Open, and as I said, welcome. This is about as crazy as they can get. Are you right now at this point quite satisfied with the way that you have handled not only a tough USGA setup, but also just the whackiness of the last several days?

RORY McILROY: Yeah. I've never really experienced anything like this before. The atmosphere, obviously it's going to be a Monday finish. I don't think I've ever played a tournament with a Monday finish before.

So, yeah, I feel as if ‑‑ I've played well but I think I've handled the situation that I've been put in pretty well also for being in for the first time.

Q. Ricky came back 7‑under par you got to yourself two over it's a nine stroke deficit. What is your mindset, are you going out thinking about making that deficit maybe ‑‑

RORY McILROY: Yeah, if I go out tomorrow morning and if I can get four birdies on the last eight holes, post 2‑under par you never know. But we'll see what happens. I just need to go out there tomorrow and if I play tomorrow the way I did for the first 10 holes I'll have a good chance to red figures for the tournament.

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