McIlroy fails to make Open cut while Lowry leads after scathing comment to cameraman

Rory McIlroy missed the cut following his disappointing performance, while Royal Troon disappointed some of the world’s best players.

But Irishman Shane Lowry shot an impressive 69 to take a two-shot lead at the Open despite a tussle with a cameraman.

2

2

Now Lowry will start today’s third round as the favourite following his 2019 win at Portrush.

McIlroy could only add a four-over 75 to his poor opening score of 78 and finished the innings in the 11th over.

Lowry, 37, said: “Whatever challenge comes my way I feel I am ready to accept it and move forward. If I give myself a chance on Sunday I know I can do it and this is a better situation than any other.”

Bryson DeChambeau, who won the US Open last month, also joined the long list of stars absent over the weekend.

Tiger Woods, Tony Finau, Cam Smith and Tommy Fleetwood were among the other prominent casualties in stormy Troon.

Lowry, who shot 69 to take the lead at seven under, held on well after threatening to lose his composure in a surprise development that cost him a double-bogey six on the 11th hole.

After a wild drive off the tee, he dribbled his second shot into a bush and abandoned it for lost.

Yet after taking the drop and playing the provisional ball, a fan found the original ball, which meant he had to go back, accept the penalty and eventually get a six.

If that wasn’t enough, this came after he lashed out at a photographer. Laurie was caught on camera saying: “I could have seen you with the camera! Just get out of the way. Just back off. Damn it.”

Shane Lowry takes control of British Open and Rahm returns to form

Casino Specials – Best Casino Welcome Offers

But the 2019 Open champion kept his cool and insisted he was the one to blame. His feud with Snapper,

He admitted: “I was a bit distracted while taking the shot and my thoughts went a bit off track

“You’re so scared to go to the right there that I just grabbed the club and went to the left.

“A cameraman was walking past and I told him to stop but he stayed put. When it was over, he put his camera up. I saw it out of the corner of my eye and I should have stayed away. It was my own fault.

“I hit a great provisional shot and the ref asked if I wanted to hit my first shot. I said no and assumed it was OK but we got there and someone hit the shot.

“But I felt like I was very calm during that whole 20-minute process.

“And, to be honest, I was happy to go out there with a six. It wasn’t a disaster and I was still leading the tournament.”

McIlroy needed a fast start, but he lost six shots in the first six holes — including eight on the par-five fourth hole.

His day was summed up when, after missing the 16th green, he threw his club in the air in frustration and hit his chin.

McIlroy, whose ten-year wait for another major continues, said: “After an eight on the fourth hole I resigned myself to the fact I wouldn’t be here for the weekend.

“Over the course of two days the conditions got increasingly difficult for me. I have to keep reminding myself that I’m close to another Major.”

Ryder Cup hero Fleetwood, who shot 75 and finished the match nine over, admitted: “The conditions are difficult but it’s your job to understand it. I couldn’t do that.”