McIlory shows resilience in Malaysia
BY Bruce Young | Asian Tour | 2011 Maybank Malaysian Open | Round Two | 16 Apr 2011
In what can only be described as a remarkable show of resilience, Rory McIlory has put the horror of Sunday’s final round of 80 at Augusta National quickly behind him by snatching the lead towards the end of the second round of the Maybank Malaysian Open at the Kuala Lumpur Golf and Country Club.
When played was called due to inclement weather, McIlory was already well and truly finished his second round as was his co-leader Sweden’s Alexander Noren. The pair stood at 11 under par and led by one over England’s Simon Dyson.
To add to McIlory’s concerns on his arrival in Kuala Lumpur was that his clubs had gone missing so his opening round of 69 on a golf course he had never set eyes on previously was impressive. If round one was that then his second round of 64 was clearly more so.
Eight birdies and no bogeys swept the Northern Irishman to the share of the lead with Noren who finished his second round of 69 just a few minutes after McIlory.
Desperately slow greens and oppressive humid conditions added to the contrast between last week’s Masters and this week’s event but McIlroy seemed unperturbed.
Play was called for lightning around 3.35pm but players returned to the course at 6.15 before darkness finally brought play to a halt. Nearly half the field will be required to return to the golf course at 7.40am on Saturday to complete round two.
Two of those who will be required to complete their rounds tomorrow morning are Masters Champion Charl Schwartzel and Open Champion Louis Oosthuizen who are playing together and who are currently right on the cutline with five holes to play.
Martin Kaymer, one of three current major champions in the field has finished at 3 under.
Brett Rumford leads the Australasians at 7 under and is just four from the lead in a share of 4th position. Danny Lee is next best after his round of 67 left him at 6 under while Scott Barr is also at 6 under but has eight holes to play on his return tomorrow.
Marcus Both and Darren Beck are at 4 under and still have holes to play in round two.
