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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Bayern are a seriously good outfit, no obvious weaknesses in any positions,, they will take some beating and on tonight’s performance they could easily be crowned champions this year. Chelsea have gone backwards over the last few months, some serious investment needed in every department of the squad, they are a million miles away from competing with the best in the premier league and Europe.
@devils avacado: absolutly. I’d have them favourites and hope Liverpool don’t have to face them in the next round should they get through
@devils avacado: Mount got behind a few times, defence was caught flat footed at times. I’d say it will be a weakness against better opposition
@Tommy C: liverpool would make mince meat of their defense they let in to many goals
@Seamus Donnelly: we haven’t made mince meat of a defense since last year. What Liverpool has done is amazing but come champions league yo have to up it.
Chelsea are brutal
@InOleWeTrust: ahead of ye though:)
@john murray: we’ll see by the end of the season
@InOleWeTrust: pot , kettle etc.
Don’t watch chelsea much but tonight I either thought they’d play unreal and win 1-0 or 2-1 or just get smacked up 0-3. Really like lampard though, has got balls