CUT & PRIDE

Rory still glowing after ‘best missed-cut ever’ at Valspar

RORY McILROY claimed he had “the best missed-cut ever” last week because he has refound his touch at the Arnold Palmer Invitational.

The Ulsterman carded a second-round 70 at Bay Hill to sit six shots off the clubhouse lead held by Henrik Stenson (above) and Bryson DeChambeau.

The world No.13 admitted he needs a wonder weekend to win his first event since September 2016 in his last strokeplay tournament before the Masters.

But McIlroy, who missed the cut at the Valspar Championship last week and has struggled on the PGA Tour this season, claimed he had turned the corner with Augusta fast approaching

“Last week might have been the best missed-cut ever,” said the four-time Major winner. “I was able to go home and get in some great work,

“I figured a couple of things out and to be able to go from practice to play and feel the way I felt out there has been nice.

“Putting has been key this week. I think I have gained five shots over the field with the putter, finding a couple of feels that I had before. I feel really comfortable with that. My iron play and putting have definitely been a huge positive.” McIlroy spoiled his first-round 69 with a double bogey at the 18th.

But, starting on the 10th yesterday, he made a hat-trick of his birdies on his second nine to move to five under par.

“I could have been a couple of shots lower,” he said. “Overall it has been a solid start to the tournament. I will need to make a bit of a move over the weekend to get close to Henrik but I am pleased with where my game is at.”

Stenson also missed the cut last week but shot an opening 64. The Swede opened his second round with 13 straight birdies before making three consecutive birdies in his 69.

“I kept patient and then I got on a strong run,” said the world No.15.

The 2016 Masters champion Danny Willett (left) had to pull out of his only event on the PGA Tour so far this year with injury after four holes of his second round.