No sooner had Rory McIlroy crashed out of the UBS Hong Kong Open and his good friend and fellow US Open winner, Graeme McDowell also struggled on day two of the Talisker (Australian) Masters in Melbourne.

However in contrast to McIlroy, McDowell still managed to book his place for the closing two rounds with scores of 71 and 77 for a four over par total on the Kingston Heath course.

McDowell began his second round in spectacular manner when he eagled the first and birdied the second hole to race to three under par in one of Australia’s ‘Big Three’ tournaments.

However it then started to turn pear-shape for McDowell as he played his closing 15 holes in eight over par.

Included on McDowell’s scorecard was a double bogey at the sixth hole sandwiched among bogeys at the 4th, 7th, 10th, 12th, 14th and 16th holes.

“The harder I tried the worse I got and it was just one of those humbling days but hopefully that will slip in for the weekend and get two more days on this great golf course,” he said after just sneaking inside the cut line at four-over.

“I need something, I either need to go and batter myself in the gym tonight or batter myself in the casino, I’m not sure which one is going to happen but probably the former.”

Australia’s Matthew Guyatt continues to be the surprise leader adding a second round 69 to move two shots clear of the field on 10-under and with New Zealand’s Michael Hendry (70) on eight under par and World No. 5 Adam Scott (69) ready to swoop after moving to third place on seven under par.

Scott is also looking to continue a winning trend of having tasted at least one tournament success a year since turning pro at the Great North Open in England  in mid-2000.

Australia’s Matthew Guyatt a two stroke leader at the halfway mark of the Talisker (Australian) Masters in Melbourne. (Photo – www.pgatour.com.au)