Rory McIlroy's Open Championship woes continue as he sets unwanted record

Rory McIlroy has missed the cut at The Open Championship for only the third time, following one of the worst weeks of his career at the year's final major .

McIlroy finished the first two rounds at 11-over-par , just a single shot better than his previous worst performance at Muirfield in 2013.

After starting the tournament with a seven-over-par 78 in the first round on Thursday, he had a lot of ground to makeup on day two.

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Unfortunately, the Northern Irishman couldn't replicate the form that nearly won him the US Open last month, scoring a four-over 75 on Friday in a second round to forget.

McIlroy's day started poorly, as challenging conditions along the Scottish coastline got the better of him. His first bogey came at the third hole, but it was what happened next that marked the beginning of the end for the four-time major champion.

After finding trouble in waist-high fescue on the left, McIlroy's first attempt to return to safety ended up back at his feet, before a second attempt saw him hack his way back onto the fairway. However, his troubles were far from over, as his third shot veered left into the gallery, reports the Mirror .

A misjudged chip then followed into a green-side bunker, but he did give himself the chance to save an up-and-down after playing his shot from the sand to five-feet. Similar to his woes at Pinehurst No. 2 in June though, McIlroy went on to miss from short distance with the putter before finally ending up with a triple-bogey eight.

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Clearly struggling, the Northern Irishman then made back-to-back bogeys at the fifth and sixth to leave him 13-over for the tournament, and on the cusp of putting in his worst ever Open Championship showing. He did rescue some pride on the back nine, making two birdies on his way in to ensure his 12-over performance 11 years ago remained his worst at the event.

After a testing two days, McIlroy finally had something to smile about when chipping in for a two at the par-three 14th. Another birdie then followed at the par-five 16th, but it proved too little too late for the 35-year-old.

His Royal Troon showing ensures McIlroy's wait for a fourth major championship victory will enter an 11th year, with his last flagship event victory coming at the 2014 PGA Championship at Valhalla. His next task will come in Paris in two weeks, where he will represent Ireland at the Olympic Games.

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