Rory McIlroy slams "s*** show" as organisers forced into drastic action

15 September 2023 , 20:20

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Rory McIlroy slammed the pace of play at Wentworth (Image: (Photo by GLYN KIRK/AFP via Getty Images))

Rory McIlroy labelled the second round of the BMW PGA Championship a "s*** show" after the Northern Irishman and his playing partners finished their second round in darkness.

McIlroy was joined by European Ryder Cup teammates Viktor Hovland and Ludvig Aberg in the opening two rounds, and the trio were left frustrated during Friday's action. Play at Wentworth was delayed by an hour and 20 minutes in the early stages due to fog.

And this had a huge knock-on effect throughout the day, with McIlroy, Hovland and Aberg feeling the brunt of it after taking a five hours and 30 minute to complete their second round.

Things were already not going to plan for the Northern Irishman, who was facing his first cut since the Masters in April with four holes to play. Keen to return over the weekend, McIlroy hit a superb approach into the 15th green before tapping in for birdie.

The four-time major champion was then stood on the 18th tee for some time, before finally getting a tee shot away, followed by finding the green with his second shot. A two-putt in the darkness then saw him sneak inside the cut line in a dramatic finish to his second round.

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Clearly unimpressed with the pace of play, McIlroy said post-round per The Scotsman : "It was a s***show. The fog obviously delayed things, but I've never remembered having that many players on 17 and 18. It's not as if they teed us off in tighter slots or anything.

"We're the last group to maybe get done, so we were maybe fortunate that way, but it's hard for me trying to play the last well and make the cut - it was a bit of a mad dash and a scramble to get finished.” The Northern Irishman's frustrations come as no surprise, having been forced to fitness in the darkness at the DP World Tour's flagship event.

Rory McIlroy and his playing partners were left frustated

In an attempt to help McIlroy and co finish, tournament organisers were forced to take drastic action after spotlights were positioned on the side of the 18th putting surface, which was also lit up by the green-side scoreboard. The slow pace had proven a problem all day for those competing, and was noted by former Ryder Cup captain Paul McGinley.

Commentating for Sky Sports, McGinley said: "It's an absolute disgrace," Sky Sports Golf's Paul McGinley repeatedly said during the broadcast in the second round. four hours 40 minutes is about the average these days for a three-ball, and even that is too long.

"They have got to find ways to speed up the pace of play. Enough is enough now." Whilst McIlroy managed to putt-out at the 18th, a share of the 138-man field are yet to conclude their second rounds after darkness descended on the Surrey course. Those yet to complete 36 holes will return on Saturday morning, followed by the start of round three soon after.

Joshua Lees