Rory McIlroy is on the brink of missing the cut in The Masters.
The Northern irishman was among the pre-tournament favourites as he was tipped to finally complete the grand slam of majors at Augusta National. But it's been a nightmare couple of days for McIlroy in Georgia as he found himself well off the pace on Thursday. Friday got even worse though, as last year's runners up face elimination after just the second day, finishing five over par.
That could see him go home early, although we won't know what is required to make the cut until later in the day. The low 50 players on the leaderboard and ties, plus those within ten shots of the leader will play again on Saturday and Sunday, which makes the projected cut two over. However, McIlroy's wait for a maiden green jacket will go on either way. Golfing legend Tiger Woods has also struggled, but was only two over through six holes by the time McIlroy had finished.
Brooks Koepka is out in front at 12 under, having completed his opening two rounds. With weather forecasts predicting thunderstorms, it's likely this this year will see the first Masters Monday required for the first time in 40 years. Severe weather has been taken into account with plans in place to extend play until Easter Monday, with significant delays expected over the course of Saturday and Sunday.
Scot Sandy Lyle is making his final ever Masters appearance. He had a first day to forget after breaking a club. The former champion struggled to a nine over par. he said: "It's the first club I've broken here," said the 1988 winner, playing in his 101st major. "Taken 40 years to do it, but it's happened. And it wasn't even over my knee!"
