McIlroy starts bogey-triple bogey in Rd. 2 of WGC-HSBC Champions

After opening the WGC-HSBC Champions in even-par 72, eight off the lead, Rory McIlroy needed an early spark in Round 2.

Didn’t happen.

McIlroy had to make an 10-footer to save bogey at the first hole and then immediately made triple bogey after a series of poor shots.

McIlroy was 183 yards from the hole after a typical big drive at the par 5 second, but blew his approach shot long. His ball avoided the water hazard but was nonetheless unplayable as it came to rest in a bush. After taking a drop, McIlroy wasted no time in playing his fourth shot, mishitting it and watching helplessly as it – this time – did roll into the water.

After eventually carding an 8, McIlroy added a bogey at the par-4 fifth and a double at the par-5 eighth [5 over on the two front-nine par 5s on Friday]. He needed this chip-in at the par-4 ninth to turn in 6-over 42.

McIlroy made three birdies and two bogeys on the back nine for a 5-over 77. He’s 16 shots off Tony Finau’s lead, tied for 58th among the current field of 77 in the no-cut event.