Rory McIlroy Misses First Cut In 18 Months

Rory McIlroy Misses First Cut In 18 Months

Rory McIlroy Misses Cut
(Image credit: Getty Images)

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.

Mcilroy Genesis Open

McIlroy only managed three birdies in his two rounds at Riviera. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)

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.

Related: Rory McIlroy Elected PGA Tour Player Advisory Council Chairman

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.

McIlroy Portrush

McIlroy's last missed cut came at Royal Portrush after rounds of 79 & 65. (Photo By Brendan Moran/Getty Images)

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.

Matt Cradock
Staff Writer

Matt joined Golf Monthly in February 2021 covering weekend news, before also transitioning to equipment and testing. After freelancing for Golf Monthly and The PGA for 18 months, he was offered a full-time position at the company in October 2022 and continues to cover weekend news and social media, as well as help look after Golf Monthly’s many buyers’ guides and equipment reviews.


Taking up the game when he was just seven years of age, Matt made it into his county squad just a year later and continues to play the game at a high standard, with a handicap of around 2-4. To date, his best round came in 2016, where he shot a six-under-par 66 having been seven-under through nine holes. He currently plays at Witney Lakes in Oxfordshire and his favourite player is Rory McIlroy, despite nearly being struck by his second shot at the 17th during the 2015 BMW PGA Championship.


Matt’s current What’s In The Bag?

Driver: Honma TW747, 8.75°

Fairway Wood: TaylorMade Rocketballz Stage 2, 15°, 19°

Hybrid: Adams Super Hybrid, 22°

Irons: Mizuno MP54, 5-PW

Wedges: Cleveland 588 RTX 2.0 Tour Satin, 50°, 56°, 60°

Putter: Cleveland TFI 2135 Satin Cero

Ball: Titleist Pro V1x