The Northern Irishman hadn’t missed a cut since the 2019 Open Championship, but rounds of 73 and 76 at the Genesis Open meant he wouldn’t feature at the weekend.
Rory McIlroy Misses First Cut In 18 Months
Rory McIlroy's 25 consecutive cuts was the longest streak on the PGA Tour, but rounds of 73 and 76 meant it would end on Friday.
McIlroy had struggled on day one at Riviera, with an opening round 73 dropping him well back of leader Sam Burns.
Sitting at two-over-par, McIlroy needed a good start to make the cut, which was predicted at level-par.
But the Northern Irishman once again struggled to find any momentum, carding four bogies and just a single birdie for a three-over-par front nine, having started on the back nine.
Seven consecutive pars followed, before a nightmare double-bogey at the eighth extinguished any chance of making the cut for the four-time major champion.
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Before today McIlroy had made 25 consecutive cuts on the PGA Tour, with his last missed cut coming at Royal Portrush in 2019.
During that period, the Northern Irishman won the 2019 FedEx Cup before being named the PGA Tour Player of the Year.
The 31-year-old’s next event will be next week’s WGC Championship at The Concession Golf Club in Florida.
Previously the event was held in Mexico, where McIlroy held an outstanding record with three top seven finishes, including a runner-up finish in 2019.
Although the venue has changed for this year, the extra time off should allow McIlroy extra preparation time as he goes on the hunt for a fourth WGC event victory.
At the Genesis Open, Sam Burns followed his round of 64, with another great round of 66. The American is yet to win on the PGA Tour, but has put himself into prime position going into the weekend.
Amongst a strong field at this week’s event, Jordan Spieth is once again featured among the top 10. The 27-year-old has enjoyed a great return to form of late and consecutive rounds of 68 means the three-time major winner will be firmly in contention going into the weekend.
