Hurting McIlroy gets comfort on fairways

A front nine of 38 left the former world No 1 just a shot outside the projected cut mark at Wentworth, but he eagled the 12th for the second day running and added birdies at three of the last four holes for a 71.

McIlroy announced on Wednesday that he had called off his planned November wedding to former world No 1 tennis player Caroline Wozniacki, even though the invitations had just been sent out.

“I was apprehensive going out yesterday, I honestly didn’t know what to expect and it was good I had the quick turnaround to get back on the golf course,” said the 25-year-old.

“I have exceeded my expectations so far.

“Once you get inside the ropes you are concentrating on your golf and it’s almost a nice four or five-hour release to concentrate on the job at hand.

“I stood here yesterday saying that I would be happy to make the cut and I’m in for the weekend, which is nice. Hopefully I can make a run at it. I feel like I’m playing well enough to shoot something in the mid 60s and get myself in the mix.”

Yorkshire’s Simon Dyson and Richard Finch are just inside the top 30 on one under par.

Malton’s Dyson went backwards after Thursday’s 69 with a 74 yesterday while Hull’s Finch remains consistent, adding a 72 yesterday to his opening 71.

Life as the world No 1 got off to a dismal start for Adam Scott as a string of bogeys saw him fall way off the pace at the Crowne Plaza Invitational in Forth Worth, Texas. Scott, playing his first tournament at the top of the rankings, bogeyed four of his opening nine holes before turning things around and signing for a 71.