McIlroy’s late rally can’t save him from early exit

THERE was no miracle reprieve for Rory McIlroy on day two of the US Open, although at least he did not go quietly — sinking four birdies in his last six holes. Most of the damage had been done on Thursday with a nightmarish 78 but his fine finish did allow him to leave in a positive frame of mind, despite crashing out of America’s national championship at the halfway stage for the second successive year. ‘At least I showed up for the last six holes,’ he said, with a rueful smile. McIlroy is hoping that finish will give him some momentum as he heads across to Connecticut and a first appearance in next week’s Travellers Championship. After missing so much tournament play this season, owing to problems with his ribs, the Northern Irishman acknowledged he needs a regular diet of competitive play. ‘I was a bit rusty and anxious in the first round but I struck it a lot better off the tee in the second,’ said McIlroy, who hit a lamentable five fairways on Thursday — the lowest of anyone in the 156-man field. ‘I need competive rounds with a card in my hand. I freed up towards the end and started to show what I can do. That’s one positive to take out of this.’ The other was that his ribs withstood all the punishment of playing continually out of the rough on Thursday. This is just the start of a hectic run for McIlroy. He has also added the Scottish Open next month and will now play in six of the next eight weeks as he seeks to get back on track. ‘Although it’s disappointing to miss the cut again in this event, I do believe these two rounds will serve me well over this busy summer,’ he predicted.