McIlroy struggles in 'crosswinds' to miss cut at Honda Classic

Northern Irish golf ace Rory McIlroy has faced an early disappointment by missing the cut at the Honda Classic, one of the three tournaments he had given himself to get in optimum form for the Masters in April.

McIlroy shot 73 and 74 in his two rounds on the Champion Course, which left him seven over par, well outside the cut-line that would be implemented after rain-delayed second rounds are completed on Saturday.

McIlroy did not seem overly concerned with his form despite the embarrassing cut-miss for the world number one, due to the conditions, especially the tricky winds on the court, Stuff.co.nz reported.

McIlroy, who had not played since his win in Dubai on February 1, said that he doesn't feel like he controlled his ball flight well at all, which one needs to in the wind. He added that the last three weeks, he hasn't really practiced in many crosswinds, insisting that he felt like he struggled in crosswinds out there.

Now, McIlroy would turn his focus to next week's WGC-Cadillac Championship which, with a limited field of the world's top 50 players, guarantees every player four rounds.

Following that tournament at Doral, McIlroy has only the Arnold Palmer Invitational at Bay Hill on March 19 to fine tune his play before an attempt at a 'career grand slam' at the Masters.

McIlroy, who has won a US Open, a British Open and two PGA Championships, said that he is not really thinking of Augusta, adding that he is thinking of next week and just trying to play four solid rounds.

The Northern Irishman said that hopefully they don't have to contend with conditions like they were this week, adding that it has been really good on the range the last couple weeks and it's been good in practice.