It is golf’s ‘Black Friday’ with four of Europe’s biggest stars, headed by World No. 1 Rory McIlroy crashing out of the flagship BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth.
McIlroy is just 19 days away from defending his U.S. Open title but looked more akin a weekend amateur fighting his way around the famed West Course, and also hitting one spectator on the head, with scores of 74 and 79 for a shock nine over par tally.
His second round effort included four birdies but also seven bogeys, including five in succession mid round and two double bogeys, and was just a shot less than an 80 he posted on the final day of last year’s Masters while his worse pro career score remains an 83 he recorded on day one of the 2008 South Africa Open.#
And McIlroy’s dismal showing comes just four days after parading the gleaming U.S. Open to guests at a Tour black tie bash.
Joining McIlroy was fellow U.S. Open champion, Graeme McDowell who was heading home for Portrush with scores of 74 and 73.
Triple Major winning Padraig Harrington produced his equal worst opening 36-hole tally in nose-diving to near last place with an 11-over par total.
And Darren Clarke’s miserable reign as Open Champion continued with scores of 71 and 77 for a four over par tally.
It’s the second week in succession McIlroy has missed the cut after sitting out the weekend rounds at the Players Championship.
Padraig Harrington's woes continue at the 18th and on route to his equal worst opening 36-hole effort in Europe. (Photo - Fran Caffrey/www.golffile.ie)
The last time McIlroy missed back-to-back cuts in Europe was a run of four missed cuts in 2008 starting from the Open Championship and up to and including the Johnnie Walker Championship at Gleneagles.
“Pretty much everything went wrong today,” he said
“I did get off to a decent start to be one under through seven holes and I was two under after seven on Thursday but there’s just something about the middle of this golf course I can’t get to grips with.
“The middle section has just killed any momentum I seem to have and it’s very hard to get it back.
“I’m just going to have to work hard the next few days and get ready for next week’s Memorial.
“I’m still confident of my abilities and it’s just a matter of working hard and trying to bring it up to a level from where it has been the last couple of weeks.”
McIlroy will spend the weekend on the Wentworth range before returning to the States and Thursday’s commencing Jack Nicklaus hosted event in Ohio.
England’s James Morrison eagled the last in a score of 64 to take a four stroke lead at 12-under par in today’s third round.
Luke Donald, who carded a 68 to share second place on eight under par with Borders David Drysdale (70), will go back to No. 1 in the world finishing top-eight in the event he won last year.
If so, it will be sixth occasion Donald will return to No. 1.
“No one’s told me this week yet what the various scenarios are for me to go back to number one,” said Donald.
“I hear the scenario every week and a situation like the Players Championship where Rory had missed the cut and I had that opportunity, then I might focus on it.
“But to be honest, the focus for me is always trying to win the tournament.”
Harrington’s two round effort matches a similar 11-over tally he posted in crashing out of the 2006 Majorca Classic.
However the double Open Champion and PGA Championship winner seemed unconcerned after accepting an ice cream from his wife, Caroline at the 17th hole, and after just posting back-to-back bogeys.
“The ice cream was the best part of the day,” said Harrington smiling.
