Erratic day off the tee drives McIlroy back into chasing pack in Canada 

Holywood man heads straight to the range after frustrating day off the tee as Lowry grinds to make cut and MacIntyre surges into halfway lead

TEE'D OFF: Rory McIlroy hit this tee shot on the fourth hole during the second round of the Canadian Open golf tournament in Hamilton, Ontario, Friday May 31, 2024. Pic: Nathan Denette/The Canadian Press via AP

Rory McIlroy drifted back into the chasing pack on a frustrating Friday at the RBC Canadian Open where Ryder Cup teammate Bob MacIntyre heeded his father’s advice all the way to the top of the leaderboard.

McIlroy had enjoyed a really solid opening-round 66 on Thursday morning at Hamilton Golf and Country Club but with a Friday afternoon tee time in a marquee grouping that attracted huge crowds, the Holywood native and Canadian playing partners Nick Taylor and Taylor Pendrith failed to live up to the noise and colour.