McIlroy rues his driving difficulties

Rory McIlroy has left himself plenty of work to do at the midway point of the Shell Houston Open.

McIlroy struggled in the bright but windy conditions, adding a 71 to his first day 70 and move to three-under par on the Houston Golf Club course in suburban Humble.

He trails nine shots behind Ryder Cup-winning colleague Sergio Garcia, who tamed the conditions with an impressive seven under par 65 to move four shots in front as the afternoon half of the field took to the course.

Garcia’s no stranger to winning in the Lone Star State, having broken through to claim a maiden PGA Tour title at the 2001 Colonial in Fort Worth, and then capturing the Byron Nelson Championship three years later in Irving.

And not since Pádraig Harrington disappointed Garcia for a second occasion in a Major at the 2008 PGA Championship has Garcia felt as good about his game heading into a Major.

“It’s difficult to say how good my golf is compared to the past, but I’d say the best since the 2008 PGA,” he said.

“I felt really, really good there at Oakland Hills and I was close to winning.”

McIlroy was headed to the range with the driver after hitting just five of 14 Houston fairways in regulation.

“It wasn’t too bad but I’d love to string a few birdies together and get a couple of low rounds in the 60s, that would be great for this tournament and great for me to take onto Augusta,” he said.

“I leaked a couple of drives out there today but my putting was a bit better and I managed to hole a couple of big ones. If asked to put a percentage on my game, I’d say it’s currently 80 to 85%. I am playing nicely and I am confident with my game.”

With poor weather predicted for tomorrow’s final round in Houston, there is a possibility of the $6.2m event heading into a Monday finish, and not for a first time since the tournament moved to the week prior to the Masters.

McIlroy is planning to head to Georgia on Sunday night and to play nine holes each of the three official days of practice. “If this event goes into Monday it wouldn’t bother me,” said McIlroy. “I was up at Augusta recently so I have all my work done.”

In contrast, Pádraig Harrington’s Masters dream was turning sour with the triple Major winner four over par for his round through nine and outside the cut mark.

Darren Clarke missed the cut with a pair of 75s.