RORY McILROY - SEVEN OVER PAR - WILL MISS CUT 

IN RAIN-HIT HONDA CLASSIC

FROM SKYSPORTS.COM

Brendan Steele fired four early birdies to top the leaderboard after a weather-affected second day at the Honda Classic.

On a day where play was interrupted twice due to bad weather, less than half of the field were able to finish their second round before play was suspended early due to bad light.
But pre-tournament favourite and World No 1 Rory McIlroy is going to miss the cut at seven-over-par for the tournament.
Steele only completed four holes before darkness fell at PGA National, but birdied all four to move to eight-under and pull two-strokes clear of early pacesetter Patrick Reed. 
Reed recovered from an early double-bogey at the 11th to card five birdies in tricky conditions and post a second round 67, with overnight leader Jim Herman a further stroke back following pars from his three completed holes.

Patrick Reed goes into the third day six-under.

Second Round latest

*-8 Brendan Steele (USA)
-6 Patrick Reed (USA)
*-5 Jim Herman (USA)
-4 Luke Donald (Eng)
*-4 Ian Poulter (Eng)
*-4 Padraig Harrington (Irl)
Selected Others
-3 Russell Knox (Sco)
*Level Sergio Garcia (Esp)
*Level Phil Mickelson (USA)
*+5 Lee Westwood (Eng)
+7 Rory McIlroy (Nir)
+12 Dustin Johnson (USA)
* - Yet to complete second round

“It was tough out there today, especially with the early rain this morning,” the American told Sky Sports 4. “I was glad once I made my double-bogey to pull it together and not make any more bogeys or any slip ups and played pretty faultless from there.”
Luke Donald posted a second round 67, with compatriot Ian Poulter joining him on four-under after binning his second shot from 116 yards for an eagle at the fourth and making two further gains from his first eight holes. 

Last year’s runner-up Russell Knox, still looking for a maiden win on the PGA Tour, posted a two-under 70 to join the group five strokes back.
"It was never going to be pretty today,” the world No 98 told Sky Sports 4. “It was very windy and rainy and my short game saved my bacon quite a few times!
"I think one of the things I like about this course is that you’re never comfortable. Every hole is so demanding and keeps my focus.
“I’ve got so many great memories here but that doesn’t mean anything for the next couple of days; I’ve got to hang in there.”
Phoenix Open winner Brooks Koepka was the biggest mover of the day, bouncing back from an eight-over first round by carding seven birdies in a second round 64 to make the cut. 
With the cut-off point for the weekend set to be four-over, world No 1 Rory McIlroy will be a high profile casualty after a bogey-filled second round moved him to seven-over for the tournament. The Northern Irishman hasn't missed a cut since last summer's Irish Open, but won't feature this weekend after carding five bogeys in a round disrupted by storms. 
Joining McIlroy below the expected cut-off point was Dustin Johnson, who reached the turn one-under for the day before carding three double-bogeys in a second round 75. 

TO VIEW ALL THE SCORES

CLICK HERE


Watch the Honda Classic this weekend live on Sky Sports - your home of golf.