Rory McIlroy found his march to victory momentarily derailed by an army of ants on the second day of the rain-affected KLM Open  

The reigning U.S. Open’s second shot at the eighth came to rest against an ant hill and then when McIlroy went to investigate he got more than he bargained.

McIlroy was afforded a ‘free’ drop on route to carding a five under par 65 for a five under par tally.

It left McIlroy trailing just two strokes behind clubhouse leader  Shiv Kapur of India (67) with Scotland’s Gary Orr (66) and South African James Kingston (68) next best with six under par totals.

However with some five hours lost to play on Thursday half of the field of 78 players will not complete their second until mid-morning tomorrow (SAT) before the cut off mark is confirmed.

No ants on Rory McIlroy as he lines up a putt at the 11th hole. (Photo - Eoin Clarke/www.golffile.ie)

The ‘lift-clean-and-place’ rule in effect has made for extremely slow rounds and tested the patience of all including McIlroy and World No. 2 Lee Westwood who recorded a 66 to be trailing one stroke behind McIlroy.

“It’s been a very long two days as the alarm clock went off at six o’clock this morning which was not the nicest thing,” said McIlroy. 

“But it was nice to get back out there and to finish off the round well this morning and shoot even par was good, and then to go out there this afternoon and shoot 5‑under and put myself in a position going into the weekend is very satisfying.”

McIlroy also laughed of the incident at the eighth saying:  “I am just hoping when I get back to the hotel I won’t discover any ants in my shoes or my pants.

“I know one thing I will be staying right after from the left side of the eighth fairway.”’

In contrast, Westwood was more serious as he seeks a second Dutch Open win and a dozen years after his first.

“The greens are so slow they’re like putting through treacle,” said Westwood.

“We are also down to a two-ball because Peter Hanson pulled out but aside from that the pace of play is pitifully slow.”

Westwood posted a 66 to be well placed on four-under par.

Meantime —-

Paul McGinley has arranged for his caddy ‘Edinburgh Jimmy’ Rae to take control of his GB & I Captain’s buggy at next week Vivendi Seve Trophy.

Organisers will pay Rae Euro 1,500 and have offered him a free room while McGinley is paying for his return flight.

And ‘Edinburgh Jimmy’ has also been helping out McGinley advising of his likely team picks.

Among those fancied to team up is the Worksop pair of Lee Westwood and Mark Foster.