Rory McIlroy struggles to impress on day two but both Shane Lowry and Tom McKibbin are only six off the lead

Shane Lowry made an important birdie on day one to finish level par. This morning’s play at the Earth Course was delayed due to 30 millimetres of rain throughout the night. It was a two tee start with Lowry getting action underway on the first hole. Lowry started with an opening par but was one over after three holes. Lowry holed an incredible putt from around 80 feet for birdie on the par three sixth.

The birdie at the sixth gave Lowry momentum and followed it up with a holed bunker shot for eagle at the par five seventh. Lowry hit a purple patch with the flatstick as he holed another putt for birdie at the eight hole. Lowry went to five under for the round after a birdie at the par five 14th. It looked like Lowry was going to shoot a round of 66 until a late bogey and had to settle for a 67. A great second round by Lowry and he is only six behind the leader with two rounds to go.

Rory McIlroy shot an opening round of 72 and teed off on the first hole this morning behind Lowry. McIlroy made his first birdie with a two putt from the edge of the green at the par five second. McIlroy dropped a shot at the par three fourth before hitting an incredible shot from 193 yards at the par three sixth to set up a tap in birdie. The Northern Irishman got up and down for a birdie at the par five seventh but missed two good chances at the eight & ninth hole.

McIlroy has struggled with his iron play over the first two days and this continued as he hit a weak shot from 175 yards at the par four 11th which resulted in a bogey. McIlroy struggled to get any momentum and couldn’t take advantage of his length as he failed to achieve a birdie at the par five 14th. The Northern Irishman went from bunker to bunker at the 16th hole and lipped out from long range for a par. McIlroy hit a big drive at the par five 18th hole but put his second shot into the water.

McIlroy managed to get up and down for a closing par. McIlroy is 10 shots behind on one under with two rounds to go. Over the first two rounds McIlroy has played eight par fives but has only achieved three birdies. If McIlroy tidy’s up his iron play and continues to drive it well he is more than capable in shooting a low third round. The reason why McIlroy isn’t firing on all cylinders is due to not playing a tournament in seven weeks.

Tom McKibbin started with an opening one under round. McKibbin continued to impress as he shot a second round of 68. McKibbin is also on five under and only six behind the leader. It would be fantastic if either Lowry, McKibbin or McIlroy were able to have a great third round and be in contention going into the final round.