Out-of-sorts McIlroy crashes out in Houston

RORY MCILROY’S Masters chances suffered a major setback when he missed his first cut for 11 months in the Shell Houston Open at Redstone.

As England’s Lee Westwood presented his credentials as a candidate for the green jacket by posting a second round 68 to lurk a stroke behind clubhouse leaders Cameron Percy of Australia and American Alex Prugh on seven under, McIlroy carded a lacklustre 73 to finish two strokes outside the projected cut on three over par.

The 20-year old has been in low spirits since he injured his back practising in Dubai in January and he looked a forlorn figure as he was left facing his first weekend of unemployment since last May’s Players Championship at Sawgrass.