Rory McIlroy set to miss Masters cut after finishing five over and 17 shots off lead following horror second round
RORY McILROY is set to miss the cut at The Masters after a disastrous second round.
The Northern Irishman, 33, headed to Augusta as the favourite to claim the title after nine years without a Major.
But now he is facing the prospect of not even making it to Saturday - when play resumes after being suspended - after finishing his second round on a shocking five over par.
McIlroy was forced to wait until Saturday as officials suspended play on Friday after huge winds caused three 100ft PINE TREES to be blown over by the 17th hole.
Onlookers said it was a "miracle" no one was hurt as they cam crashing down, with one landing across the 17th tee.
Play will now resume at 8am (1pm UK time) on Saturday morning.
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McIlroy's horror round came following a poor par score on Thursday which left him playing catch-up.
American Brooks Koepka leads the way on 12 under heading into Saturday, with the cut expected to be at +2.
Speaking after his superb second round of 67, he said: "The whole goal is to win the grand slam.
"I feel like all the greats have won here and they have all won Open Championships as well.
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"I guess it's one more box for me to tick to truly feel like I've done what I should have accomplished in this game."
Tiger Woods is still in with a shout after completing 11 holes on 2+ before play was halted.
But McIlroy, who chose not to speak after his second round, is set to be axed from the tournament before the midway point.
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He finished second at Augusta last year behind Scottie Scheffler.
But this year he never found his rhythm in pursuit of a first green jacket.
McIlroy's three Major titles came between 2011 and 2014.
He won the US Open in 2011, followed by a PGA Championship triumph in 2012.
Then in 2014 he claimed a second PGA Championship, before scooping The Open Championship two months later.
