Misery continues for Donald
Luke Donald took a leaf out of Rory McIlroy’s book at the US Open today – but only by double-bogeying the last hole.
While McIlroy had to endure the long wait until 3.50pm local time to try to build on his record-equalling six-shot halfway lead, Donald was among the early third-round starters after making the cut with nothing to spare.
And after dropping three shots in the last two holes for a three-over-par 74 and seven over aggregate – 18 adrift of the 22-year-old Ulsterman – England’s world number one was not even in the top 60.
After 10 top-10 finishes in his last 10 starts going all the way back to mid-February, Donald said: “I probably peaked too early.
“I certainly have not had my best golf this week. All facets have not been sharp enough, for whatever reason.
“There are not too many positives other than I get to go home a bit earlier tomorrow.”
A bad drive cost him a shot on the 437-yard 17th and at the last his ball collected mud off the wet fairway – there had been two rain delays on Friday - and his six-iron approach went right and long into the lake.
On McIlroy’s prospects of a first major, Donald said: “If he shoots anywhere near par he should have this in the bag.
“I said a couple of years ago he is one of the greatest talents in the game right now and you see him winning lots of times.”
McIlroy does, though, have a mere two victories to his name as a professional and when four clear with a round to go in The Masters in April collapsed to an 80. He finished 10 behind.
Here he was six in front of Korean YE Yang and nine ahead of the group in third, which included Swede Henrik Stenson and Australian Jason Day – joint runner-up at Augusta – when they collected some early birdies.
Defending champion Graeme McDowell was up to level par when he followed a bogey on the short seventh with a birdie on the next and then eagle at the long ninth, which like the par four 18th was using a forward tee.
Padraig Harrington was also level par after birdies at the sixth and eighth, while Lee Westwood and Phil Mickelson were on their overnight one over after seven holes.
McIlroy's lead had not been cut as he made his way to the opening tee, but there were a number of players going really well.
Swede Fredrik Jacobson turned in a four under 32 and when he made a 20-footer up the ridge for a two at the 10th he was into third place on his own at four under. He started the day 25th.
Compatriot Stenson, Day and former Masters champion Zach Johnson were only one further back.
McIlroy had a chance from inside 12 feet to extend his lead on the first, but had to settle for par.
His lead remained six, but Yang had company in second spot when Jacobson rolled in another putt from 35 feet on the demanding 11th.
