World No. 2 Rory McIlroy has yet another session next week with Nike technical staff after being let down yet again this year by the Nike Covert driver.

In a huge void for organisers, McIlroy crashed out of the Irish Open by two shots with scores of 74 and 72 for a two over tally on the Carton House course on the outskirts of Dublin.

McIlroy will meet with Nike reps in a continuing effort to straighten out his continuing errant ways off the tee.

“I am spending more time with Nike’s technical staff as this was a new driver I had in the bag this week but it still wasn’t 100% what I want,” he said.

Rory McIlroy in the media spotlight after missing the cut in the 2013 Irish Open. (Photo – Fran Caffrey/www.golffile.ie)

“So I am testing with them again next week.

“I am still confident in my ability to hit the golf ball and hit good shots but then confidence comes from hitting good shots and seeing the ball go in the hole, and shooting good rounds and posting good results.

“I guess in that way the results are not great but from being on the golf course and seeing some good shots today I am definitely more positive now than this time yesterday.”

And while McIlroy was clearly disappointed to miss yet another halfway cut this year, the double Major winner was also disappointed for his huge Irish fan base.

“I’m disappointed for all the fans and it’s definitely not a great thing for the tournament losing myself, Padraig, G Mac and Darren but we still have Shane up there,” said McIlroy.

“I played alongside Shane the last couple of days and he’s in a great position, and he’s played well over the two days.

“But just the way it can be in sport as you can have a bad week and a good week.”

Former US Amateur champion, Peter Uihlein of Florida (68) and England’s Robert Rock (66) head the field on nine under par.

Five players – Spain’s Jose Maria Olazabal, Sweden’s Oscar Floren, Holland’s Joost Luiten, Portugal’s Ricardo Santos and Ireland’s Shane Lowry – share third place at seven under par.