Rory McIlroy: ‘The closer I got to greens, the worse I got’

Rory McIlroy may be the tournament host but he will do all he can to avoid being merely part of the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open presentation party on Sunday evening.

The world No. 1 will tee off for his second round at Royal Co Down this afternoon determined to make amends for a disastrous opening nine-over-par 80 yesterday morning, shot in the worst conditions of the day.

McIlroy, 26, needs a low score today to any have any hope of avoiding the cut for a second week in succession, and a third Irish Open on the trot.