Rory McIlroy misses Open cut but struggling star avoids embarrassing feat

Rory McIlroy has missed the cut at The Open Championship for just the third time after he endured one of the worst weeks of his career at the final major of the year.

McIlroy ended the opening two rounds at 11-over-par, just one shot better than his previous worst showing at Muirfield back in 2013. Having got his tournament off to the worst possible start with a seven-over-par 78 in round one on Thursday, this left him with plenty of work to do heading into day two.

Sadly for the Northern Irishman though, he once again failed to find the form that saw him go so close to winning the US Open last month, carding a four-over 75 on Friday in a second round to forget.

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McIlroy's start to the day was far from ideal, as testing conditions down the Scottish coast line got the better of him. His first bogey of the day came at the third, but it was what happened a hole later that proved to be the beginning of the end for the four-time major champion.

Having found trouble down the left in waist-high fescue, McIlroy's first attempt to get back into safety ended up back at his feet, before a second saw him hack himself back out into the fairway. The trouble was far from over though, as his third shot was pulled left into the gallery.

A misjudged chip then followed into a green-side bunker, but he did give himself the chance to save an up-and-down after playing his shot from the sand to five-feet. Similar to his woes at Pinehurst No. 2 in June though, McIlroy went on to miss from short distance with the putter before finally ending up with a triple-bogey eight.

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It was a day to forget for Rory McIlroy
(Image: PA)

Clearly struggling, the Northern Irishman then made back-to-back bogeys at the fifth and sixth to leave him 13-over for the tournament, and on the cusp of putting in his worst ever Open Championship showing. He did rescue some pride on the back nine, making two birdies on his way in to ensure his 12-over performance 11 years ago remained his worst at the event.

After a testing two days, McIlroy finally had something to smile about when chipping in for a two at the par-three 14th. Another birdie then followed at the par-five 16th, but it proved too little too late for the 35-year-old.

His Royal Troon showing ensures McIlroy's wait for a fourth major championship victory will enter an 11th year, with his last flagship event victory coming at the 2014 PGA Championship at Valhalla. His next task will come in Paris in two weeks, where he will represent Ireland at the Olympic Games.