McIlroy in Memorial mix
McIlroy shot six birdies to bring his total birdies for the two days to 13, the largest of any player in the high-class field, but could do no better than an even-par round of 72 as he also signed for four bogeys and a double bogey. At six under par, he was tied for the early lead with the Australian Rodney Pampling and two Americans, Ricky Barnes and Jonathan Byrd.
The 22-year-old Ulsterman dropped shots at the first, third and sixth but atoned with gains at the second and the par-five fifth and seventh. Long, accurate tee shots set up further birdies at the two remaining long holes, the 11th and 15th and he also dipped below regulation at the 13th. However, a visit to one of the many water hazards on the Jack Nicklaus-designed course cost a double bogey at the 14th.
McIlroy also finished disappointingly with a bogey at the 18th but is still in very good shape at the halfway stage.
“I felt I was playing well enough to get into the 60s but I just made too many, mistakes,” he admitted.
Meanwhile, Colin Montgomerie now has another memory of Celtic Manor to add to last year’s Ryder Cup — his worst 36-hole score on European soil for more than 20 years.
While Sweden’s Alex Noren took over the lead in the Saab Wales Open yesterday with a second successive 67 and has defending champion, Ireland’s Graeme McDowell, only one behind, Europe’s triumphant captain last October slumped out of the event at 15 over par.
Montgomerie followed up his opening 78 with a 79 and had no doubt what the biggest problem was — his age.
“I’m not 25 any more,” said the Scot, who in less than three weeks turns 48.
“I think it does show sometimes. It’s good being busy, but it takes its toll trying to compete against guys less than half my age only doing this.
“But I just played awful. I’m very disappointed not to be playing at the weekend, never mind contending. I’m one of the last names on the board.”
McDowell meanwhile, had four birdies in five holes, in his case from the eighth, and just as important was his recovery from under the lip of a bunker to two feet at the short 10th.
“One of the boys said Seve would have been proud of that one,” he said. “I’m on a course I enjoy and in a position I enjoy.
“This is perfect for the US Open (he defends there as well in a fortnight). I said I just wanted to get in the mix and get the juices flowing and it’s kind of mission accomplished.”
- IRELAND’S Rebecca Codd is hot on the heels of leader Holly Aitchison after the first round of the Deloitte Dutch Ladies Open Vlaardingen yesterday.
Codd is three shots behind Aitchison on one under, one of eight players sharing third place.
Aitchison has a two-stroke lead over Italy’s Diana Luna after carding eight birdies, a bogey and a double bogey in an eventful first round at the Dutch course near Rotterdam.
CONNECT WITH US TODAY
Be the first to know the latest news and updates
