McIlroy 'frustrated' after missing cut at Irish Open
Rory McIlroy won't successfully defend his Irish Open title this week at Portstewart Golf Club, as he missed the cut for the fourth time in the last five years at the event.
The Northern Irishman followed up an opening-round 72 with a 1-over-par 73 on Friday, well back of the projected cut line of 3-under.
"I’m frustrated. I felt like I was making some good ground - obviously not getting close to the lead, but being around for the weekend," the tournament host told the Golf Channel.
The world No. 4 was 2-under on his round with four holes left, but bogeyed the par-3 sixth, then made a costly double-bogey at the eighth, ending his chances of playing the weekend.
"It’s really disappointing. Coming in as defending champion and as host and everything that goes with that, I wanted to put in a good performance this week and I didn’t," McIlroy told RTE after the round.
McIlroy will take care of his tournament duties this weekend while also getting in some practice for next week's Scottish Open, which is followed by the Open Championship at Royal Birkdale.
"I just need to spend the weekend trying to sharpen up the short game and get ready for next week in Scotland," McIlroy said.