Rory McIlroy misses cut at Irish Open after even-par 2nd round

NEWCASTLE, Northern Ireland (AP) — Top-ranked Rory McIlroy has missed the cut for the second week in a row, stumbling out of the Irish Open on Friday after failing to make up for a disastrous first round.

It is the third straight year that McIlroy misses the cut at his home tournament, which he hosts.

The Northern Irishman required at least a 68 Friday to compensate for his 9-over 80 on Thursday at the challenging Royal County Down. He sank a 30-foot putt on the seventh hole for his first birdie of the tournament, but his struggles resumed after that and he finished with a level-par 71.

Four players shared the lead with Friday's round still underway.

McIlroy also missed the cut at the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth last week.