Friday 30 October 2015 16:33, UK
Rory McIlroy feels there's still improvements he can make to his game despite a second successive bogey-free round at the Turkish Airlines Open.
The world No 3 came to the Final Series opener less than 275,000 points clear of Danny Willett at the top of the Race to Dubai standings, but has put himself in to a strong position to potentially extend that advantage after a second successive 67 at the Montgomerie Maxx Royal.
A two-putt birdie at the opening hole was the first of five gains to move McIlroy joint-sixth and four strokes off overnight leader Jaco Van Zyl, although the four-time major winner admits his game still isn't at 100 per cent.
"They're as stress-free two 67s as I have shot all year," McIlroy said. "I definitely feel like there's a lot more to come. I feel like I can hit the ball a little better. I can definitely get my wedges closer.
"I made a couple of good putts to save pars over the past couple of days, but for the most part I'm giving myself chances on most greens."
McIlroy had needed a left-handed recovery shot on the 18th on Thursday and saved par on the same hole on Friday, despite a penalty drop after driving into a bush, the 26-year-old recording a second consecutive 67.
The world No 3 also enjoyed a tremendous stroke of luck on the fourth when his pulled drive was heading for the water until hitting a tree on the edge of the hazard, but has still yet to have a bogey on his card heading in to the weekend.
"I don't feel like I need to put myself under any pressure to get off to a good start tomorrow," McIlroy added. "Just play another solid round of golf and I'll hopefully be in there with a shout going into Sunday.
"If I get myself up there, I feel like I've had a lot more experience than some of the guys up there on the leaderboard closing tournaments out, so I'd back myself.
"I looked at the leaderboard on the fourth green and at that point I think I was 10 behind. So to be only four behind going into the weekend isn't much at all."
Watch the Turkish Airlines Open throughout the weekend live on Sky Sports 4 - your home of golf
