McIlroy heading for early exit

Defending champion Rory McIlroy and world number one Luke Donald packed their bags and prepared to say goodbye to the US Open in San Francisco today.

McIlroy’s shoulders sank after missing what he sensed was a crucial 15-foot birdie chance on the final green of his second round – and then he missed the tiddler coming back.

The bogey four meant a three-over-par 73 to add to his opening 77 and at 10 over he was resigned to making his fourth early exit from his last five tournaments.

“If the cut is nine [over] I won’t be feeling too good tonight,” said the 23-year-old Northern Irishman after clearing his locker and preparing to fly home.

“I felt I hit it okay, but this course is so punishing if you get out of position.

“I felt I had really turned a corner last week (he was seventh in Memphis and had a chance to win before double-bogeying the last) and if this was a normal tournament I think I would be there or thereabouts.

“Playing your best it’s still a really good test. I’m trying to not let it frustrate me and trying to see positives. I do because I’m hitting good shots and giving myself chances.

“I’ll go home now and start playing some links golf.”

He has the Irish Open at Royal Portrush next in a fortnight – he is the course record holder there – and two weeks after that comes The Open at Royal Lytham.

Donald’s 72, meanwhile, left him 11 over and still waiting for his first major title.

There was disappointment of a different sort for McIlroy’s compatriot and predecessor as champion Graeme McDowell.

Birdies at the 15th and 16th – his seventh and eighth holes of the day – lifted McDowell into second place on his own at two under par.

However, McDowell then bogeyed three of his last four holes and with a 72 slipped back to one over.

He was still right in contention, however, as most of those ahead of him were still out on the course and finding life just as hard.

They included little-known American Michael Thompson, three clear overnight following a sparkling 66, and after a double bogey and two bogeys in his first six holes he was back down to one under.

That was still good enough for a share of the lead with 2003 winner Jim Furyk, who, playing with McDowell, shot a fine 69, and 17-year-old American amateur Beau Hossler, like Thompson a qualifier.

Tiger Woods was alongside them after a five-foot birdie at the short third, but he could not get up and down from sand at the fifth and had a terrible break at the next.

The 14-major champion liked the look of his approach, but it finished in thick rough just above a bunker and it was no wonder he dropped another shot from there.

Lee Westwood was playing with McIlroy and Donald and he shot 72 to be five over, the same as Ian Poulter (75), while Justin Rose was one better after he too shot 75.

Donald knew he needed something special after starting with a 79 and after the promise of an opening birdie – he did not have any on the first day – his chances slowly ebbed away.

“It was a little better today, but little consolation obviously,” he said.

“I think I missed nine putts inside 10 feet yesterday and just couldn’t get a feel for the greens.

“It wasn’t to be and I’m trying to learn from it and come back stronger next time.

“I feel I was prepared – I certainly don’t regret anything that I did before teeing up.”

Last year he admitted to overdoing things.

“I think it was more a case of just not quite feeling too comfortable with the swing this week and that happens,” Donald added.

McDowell said: “It’s just tough to have fun out there, I’ve got to be honest with you. It’s just a brutal test of golf.

“I’m disappointed to bogey three of the last four, but that’s what this golf course can do to you in a heartbeat – and if you had offered me one over par starting on the first tee yesterday I would have probably snapped your arm off for it.

“I’m very happy to be where I am. I made enough birdies to kind of offset some mistakes, which I think’s key.”