ABERDEEN, Scotland (AP) – The second-round jinx that has afflicted Rory McIlroy this season struck once again at the Scottish Open on Friday when he followed up a course-record 64 with a 7-over 78 that left him just above the cut mark.
The former world No. 1 has failed to build on fast starts in a frustrating first half of 2014 and he says it is now becoming a mental issue.
McIlroy says “having to talk about it, it’s always being brought up, it’s sort of in your mind. Maybe I put myself under even more pressure to get off to a decent start and shoot a good score.”
McIlroy, who is at level par, added with a laugh “it’s another Friday out of the way – now I can go onto the weekend.”