McIlroy misses cut in Scotland

It started with a shout of “FORE LEFT!” and ended with a putt from about 7 feet that didn’t come close to finding the cup.

Rory McIlroy is making an earlier-than-planned journey south to Royal Birkdale for next week’s British Open after missing the cut by two strokes at the Scottish Open in Irvine following a 1-underpar 71 in his second round on Friday. He was 10 shots off the lead after two days that exposed the current frailties in his wedge play and putting.

It was the world No. 4’s third missed cut in his past four events — he also failed to make the weekend at the U.S. Open and last week’s Irish Open — and the latest low point in an injury-affected 2017 for the four-time major winner.

“I’m just waiting for something,” McIlroy said. “Waiting for something, some sort of spark. Just something to go right, and the last couple of weeks haven’t been like that. Just got to keep plugging away and hopefully it turns around next week.”

Padraig Harrington (68), Callum Shinkwin (68) and Alexander Knappe (65) shared the lead at 9-under 135, with Ian Poulter and Andrew Dodt a shot back after 69s. Rickie Fowler, playing in McIlroy’s group, shot 70 and was two strokes off the lead. PGA Tour: Patrick Rodgers shot a 7-under 64 to take a two-shot lead after the second round of the John Deere Classic in Silvis, Ill. Rodgers had eight birdies and a bogey to finish at 13-under 129 at TPC Deere Run. Bryson DeChambeau was second after a 65. Champions Tour: Bernhard Langer made five birdies on the back nine through the 16th hole to take a two-shot lead over Corey Pavin before rain suspended play late in the second round of the Constellation Senior Players Championship in Owings Mills, Md. Langer, 59, was at 13 under.