Graeme McDowell hopes it will be 13th time lucky in the Irish Open this weekend as Rory McIlroy made an early exit from the event for the second year in succession.
McDowell carded a second round 66 to lie two shots off Mikko Ilo¬nen’s halfway lead, who added 68 to his opening course-record 64, but McIlroy could only manage an erratic 69 to miss the cut by one shot.
“It’s very frustrating,” said the former world No1. “To make six birdies and an eagle and shoot just two-under means there were a lot of mistakes and wasteful shots.
“To miss the cut for the second year in a row is not a nice position to be in. I don’t know what else to say, it’s very disappointing.”
McIlroy needed to finish birdie-eagle to qualify for the weekend and although he duly holed from long range on the 17th and hit a brilliant escape from the trees on the last, he was unable to chip in from the front of the green.
“I’m proud of myself how I fought out there and didn’t give up and tried for the last shot,” added McIlroy after his first missed cut on the European Tour in 2014.
“I just need to tighten it all up and become a lot more consistent, make the bad shots a little bit better and not be as wasteful around the greens. If I can do that, I know my game is right there.”
McDowell made his tournament debut when Fota Island last hosted the event in 2002 and finished 27th, but that was one of just six halfway cuts the former US Open champion has made in 12 appearances.
The 34-year-old has never recorded a top-10 finish but carded six birdies and one bogey to join Robert Rock and France’s Romain Wattel on eight-under-par.
“There’s always a first time for everything,” McDowell joked. “I’ve been unhappy with my game now for a few months, really getting frustrated and trying to be a little too perfect. I tried to loosen myself up a little. I’m surprised and excited to be in contention.
“Normally there’s some pressure and expectation in the Irish Open. I think maybe coming off the US Open last week, with as much pressure and frustration and expectation as you feel there, perhaps that’s why I’m dealing with it a little bit better because it nearly feels like the proverbial walk in the park by comparison.”
