Rory McIlroy: Northern Irishman misses Genesis Invitational by seven shots

McIlroy only carded three birdies in 36 holes at Riviera County Club

Rory McIlroy missed his first cut since the 2019 Open Championship after recording a 76 second round at the Genesis Invitational.

McIlroy had played in 30 events since his Friday exit at the Open in his native Northern Ireland.

The Northern Irishman carded one birdie, four bogeys and a double bogey to fall back to seven above par.

Sam Burns hit a bogey-free 66 to go 12 under, leaving him five free from a group that includes Dustin. Johnson.

Burns was leading after opening 64 and his total of 12 under par equaled the 36-hole course record.

Padraig Harrington, who competed in his first event since returning from a positive test on Covid-19, will also miss the weekend's game after the Ryder Cup captain in Europe a 76 shot to drop to nine above par.

Hoping to bounce back after an opening 73, McIlroy dropped a shot on 12, his third hole, and while he responded with a birdie on 13, the quadruple big win ner slipped further shots on 14, 17 and 18.

After a series of seven straight pars on his back nine, a double closed bogey six on the eighth off a disappointing week for the 31-year-old, who had the longest active cut streak on the PGA Tour prior to this week with 25.

McIlroy returns on Thursday action at the World Golf Championship event in Florida, due to the pandemic has moved from Mexico.

World number one Johnson shares second place with fellow countrymen Tyler McCumber and Jason Kokrak and Joaquin Niemann from Chile.

Jordan Spieth is in a group that goes one step further from the pace, with England's Matthew Fitzpatrick staying in his overnight position of five under after a 71 and Brooks Koepka under four below.

McIlroy wasn't the only big name to miss the cut when Bryson ran DeChambeau over with two, Justin Thomas one punch behind the Northern Irishman.