McIlroy was just six shots off the lead after Thursday’s first round, but he is now tied for 35th place, well adrift of American leaders Max Homa, Scottie Scheffler and Bryson DeChambeau.
Bogeys at five and seven for the Northern Irishman were followed by a damaging double bogey at the 11th when he found the water.
“Tough day, really tough day. Tough to score and just try to make as many pars as possible,” McIlroy mused.
“I felt like I did well. I made a bogey on 14 and just to par the last four holes, get into the clubhouse and get a tee time tomorrow[Saturday[I’mprettyhappywithit[Saturday[I’mprettyhappywiththat[samedi[j’ensuisplutôtcontent[Saturday[I’mprettyhappywiththat
“Scoring was very difficult. Just one of those days. Most of the players couldn’t get things going, it was just about trying to hang on as best you could.
“Mentally it’s a difficult task. You just have to commit as best you can to the shot you’re trying to play and hit at the right time as well, which is quite tricky.
McIlroy’s group was among the last starters on day two and their round lasted six hours and two minutes.
“It seemed like a long time. My golf swing was horrible for the last six or seven holes just waiting, especially the 11th hole. It felt like it took about an hour to play.
“It was stop and start. Difficult to find rhythm with the conditions and obviously the slow pace of the game as well.”
