It doesn’t always look like it, but world No. 2 Rory McIlroy proved to his fellow players in the second round of the Australian Open that he is a real person.

On the 14th hole, McIlroy hit his tee shot under a low-hanging tree. On his second try, the 2025 Masters winner tried to punch it out, copying some of the greats in the game.

It’s too bad that it didn’t work out. McIlroy messed up the shot horribly, and he ended up making a birdie on the hole.

“Felt like I could get in there, really low like Seve (Ballesteros) used to do and just get a little 4-iron and get it back into play,” he said. On the way down, I caught a branch and then went over the ball completely.” I don’t remember the last time I had a “fresh air.” It wasn’t one of my better moments, but it felt good to play well the last few holes after that.

McIlroy said that his first two rounds at Royal Melbourne weren’t up to par, but he still managed to get back on track with a 68 that put him in the weekend. McIlroy made three birdies in the last four holes. On the 17th hole, he made birdie by hitting a great shot out of a small bush.

“Over the last few days, it wasn’t my best work, but it felt good to finish the way I did.” I’m happy to be here for the weekend. Seven isn’t that far away. I think I can get back into the competition if I can shoot a good one tomorrow morning.

After winning the Masters in April, which was his fifth major and the last one he needed to finish the career Grand Slam, McIlroy said he was having trouble staying motivated. It was clear to him this summer that the emotional high he felt when he finally put on the green jacket threw his game off.

The PGA Championship was held at Quail Hollow, a course he has won four times. He tied for 47th place. Then, he tied for 19th place at the U.S. Open, which was his worst finish in a major since 2018.

But a T-7 in his home Open Championship at Royal Portrush was the first sign of a great fall. The Irish Open was won by McIlroy. It was then his job to help Team Europe win the Ryder Cup on the road at Bethpage Black. He won his seventh Race to Dubai title last month.

As of now, Daniel Rodriques and Rasmus Neergaard-Peterson are in first place with 9 under. McIlroy is far behind in second place with 2 under par.

Cameron Jourdan from Golfweek helped with this story.

This story was first published on Golfweek: At the Australian Open, Rory McIlroy showed that he’s only human by missing a putt.