Rory McIlroy misses cut at Irish Open as Mikko Ilonen leads by two

CORK, Ireland – Mikko Ilonen opened up a two-stroke lead at the Irish Open at the end of the second round as Rory McIlroy failed to make the cut by one shot on Friday. 

Ilonen added a 2-under 68 to his opening round course record of 64 to move to 10 under on the Fota Island Resort course. 

The 34-year-old Finn birdied his opening hole but then stalled with eight straight pars ahead of an inward half that included four birdies. 

"I wanted to at least get to 10-under par and I did that," Ilonen said. "It wasn't as easy today and I didn't hit the ball that well but I putted well and it was good enough." 

Northern Ireland's Graeme McDowell (66), England's Robert Rock (66) and Frenchman Romain Wattel (65) share second place on 8 under while triple major winner Padraig Harrington (67) is tied for eighth on 6 under. 

TIGER RETURNS: Woods announces that he'll play Quicken Loans National next week

McDowell is looking to win the Irish Open for the first time and Rock has been runner-up twice before. 

The loss of McIlroy over the final two rounds is a blow to event organizers. His second round 69 was a mix of a 10th hole eagle, six birdies and a double bogey at No. 4 for an overall 1-over 143. It is the second year in succession McIlroy has missed the cut in his national open. 

McIlroy's double bogey came after his tee shot clipped a tree and ricocheted out of bounds and over the fence into the adjoining Fota Island Wildlife Park. 

"I'll be back next year and try and do better," McIlroy said