PORTRUSH, Northern Ireland (Reuters) – Ireland’s Shane Lowry proved master of the Dunluce links for the second successive day to move into a share of the halfway lead with American J.B. Holmes at the British Open on Friday.
But there was a bitter-sweet exit for Rory McIlroy, who missed the cut despite bouncing back from his nightmare first round 79 with an excellent 65.
McIlroy will miss out on the weekend along with Tiger Woods, who shot a one-under 70 but still ended six-over for his two rounds.
A flurry of birdies early in a sizzling outward nine of 31 looked like giving the 32-year-old Lowry from across the border the outright lead but a bogey at the 18th left him on eight under after successive rounds of 67.
Holmes, the overnight leader, had the better of the weather earlier in the day and consolidated his challenge with a 68