First cut since 2014 for ex-world No 3

Former Masters champion Mike Weir made his first half-way cut since November 2014 after a battling display in the Rocco Forte Open in Sicily.

The Canadian recovered from a triple-bogey on the 18th – his eighth hole of the day – to card a second-round of 70 at Verdura Golf Club and finish right on the cut mark of five under par.

That was 10 shots off the halfway lead held by Spain’s Alvaro Quiros, but simply making the weekend for the first time in 34 events represents a step in the right direction for the former world No 3.

Weir, who has slumped to 1,907th in the rankings, has struggled for form ever since elbow surgery in 2011 and announced in July 2015 that he was taking an indefinite leave of absence from golf for family reasons.

The left-hander does not have any status on the PGA Tour and after missing the cut at Augusta National for the sixth time in the last seven years, also made early exits from European Tour events in Morocco and Portugal.

Quiros birdied his final four holes to add a 64 to his opening 63 and reach 15 under par, two shots ahead of overnight joint leaders Michael Hoey and Sebastian Soderberg, who both shot 61 on Thursday and 68 yesterday.

Scott Jamieson, on six under after a 67, was the only Scot to make the cut.

Scott Henry’s disappointing 74 left him on two under, along with Chris Doak, who carded a 69. Craig Lee was one over after a 68, while a round of 69 left Duncan Stewart three over.

Meanwhile, Rory McIlroy will miss next week’s BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth due to a rib injury.

Mike Weir made his first half-way cut since 2014.