Rory McIlroy showed signs of improvement during the second round of the Irish Open, but it wasn't enough to keep the tournament's host around for the weekend.
McIlroy shot an even-par 71 at Royal County Down, but his opening-round 80 proved too difficult to overcome. At 9 over, he was four shots outside the projected cut line and will miss the cut for the second consecutive week.
McIlroy was unable to convert on several early scoring opportunities, and he did not record his first birdie of the week until the seventh hole of his second round.