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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Good article:)
Drico is a living legend! Ireland lucky to produce a centre like this
Even do his a lenister man he still was and is the best players Ireland will ever see unless in 20years time the number 13 can fly no one will touch him
Even though it’s a good comment, your grammar is shocking, so I gave you a red thumb!
It has been a privilege to have been able to watch Brian O Driscoll playing. So many great days. Who will ever forget Paris in 1999? Or the intercept try in Croke Park against Munster in 2009? For any young player who wants to learn about work rate on the pitch just watch any game with Brian O Driscoll.
Try losing 2 finals before winning it… :-/ lol