RORY MCILROY IS effectively out of contention at the WGC-HSBC Champions in Shanghai after a second-round 77 saw him slip 16 shots off the pace.
After a level-par opening round, the 29-year-old endured a torrid second round in China and found the water twice during the opening stages of Friday’s action to all but end his challenge for a third WGC title.
A bogey on the first was followed by a triple-bogey on the second hole, when he chipped into the water on his second shot. The four-time Major winner then dropped, under-hit his chip and watched the ball roll back down into the water for a second time.
Golf is hard ... even for the best.
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) October 26, 2018
Triple bogey for Rory McIlroy. pic.twitter.com/bSWNhZI1yI
The Northern Irishman never truly recovered from that, carding a bogey on the fifth and a double bogey on the eight. His birdie just before the turn still left him with a mountain to climb as he was forced to find the resolve to fight back from six-over par.
Three birdies and two bogeys on the back nine wasn’t enough to see him undo the damage and he now faces a long weekend in the Far East.
Tony Finau leads the way on -11, following two stunning opening rounds of 66 and 67.
The closest to the clubhouse leader are Ryder Cup trio Tommy Fleetwood, Justin Rose and opening-round leader Patrick Reed, all on eight-under par.
Xander Schauffele sits one shot further back. You can see the full leaderboard here.
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The lad is only interested in money. Golf is second fiddle now
@Fiachra Ahern Esq: did he tell you that himself?
@Fiachra Ahern Esq: Don’t believe that for a second… he has all the money in the world.
He desperately wants to win.
Another below average day at the office for the most overrated over hyped golfer of all time.
@Frank 0 Brien: The stats would suggest otherwise but in fairness your hate must be a better indicator of his golfing prowess.
@Frank 0 Brien: Boring Frank, boring and ill-informed.
@Frank 0 Brien: only golfer in the world that has been consistently in the top 10 of owgr for 10 years now. that’s hardly over rated now is it.
@Frank 0 Brien: 4 majors and he isn’t 30 yet , you my friend don’t have a breeze !
@Niall James Fergal McCormack: hard to see how he is going to win any more with putting and wedge play like we have seen in the last two years from him
@Jem Mehmet: He’s only seen to be over rated because people hailed him as “the next Tiger” which is a mantle anybody would struggle to live up to.
He may not be of the callibre of compettior of a Woods or Nicholas but he has already achieved a phenomenal amount in his career to date, especially compared to the average tour pro.