Rory McIlroy of Northern Ierland tees off on the 6th hole during the second round of the Hong Kong Open golf tournament in Hong Kong Friday, Nov. 16, 2012. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung)
HONG KONG — Top ranked Rory McIlroy double bogeyed his last hole Friday to be assured of missing the cut in his defense of the Hong Kong Open.
McIlroy shot a disappointing two-over par 72 to sit five-over after two rounds in warm but windy conditions at Hong Kong Golf Club. It left the Northern Irishman tied for 99th place and three shots outside the expected cut of two-over-par with half of the field yet to complete the round.
“It’s disappointing, you never want to miss the cut and even more when you are defending a tournament,” he said. “So it’s not the week I wanted but then I have a few days to work on my putting and try and get ready for Dubai.”
Denmark’s Anders Hansen posted a bogey-free six-under 64 to take the clubhouse lead at seven-under par.
McIlroy said he started the round believing he could play himself into contention after finishing the first round nine shots behind Spaniard Javier Colomo.
“I was four-under-par for my first 10 holes and only four off the lead … and thought if I made a couple more birdies I would be right back into contention, but it went the other way,” he said.
After starting on the back nine, McIlroy dropped shots on the 4th, 5th, 7th and 8th holes before conceding a double bogey from the middle of the fairway at the par-four 10th he was playing as his last.
“I still love this golf course and always enjoy coming back, and it’s just a pity this year had to end like that,” he said.
It is the second time in his career that McIlroy has missed the cut in the defense of a tournament, the other coming at this year’s U.S. Open in San Francisco.