A day that began with such promise for Rory McIlroy at the Horizon Irish Open ended in sheer frustration, as a catastrophic triple-bogey sent the home favourite tumbling down the leaderboard at the K Club.
While the Northern Irish star was left to rue what might have been, France's Adrien Saddier produced a stunning display of golf to seize control of the tournament, carding a brilliant 65 to storm into a two-shot lead.
McIlroy's Momentum Grinds to a Halt
McIlroy, buoyed by an opening 70, started his second round brightly. However, the wheels came off spectacularly on the par-4 7th hole. A wayward drive led to a series of compounding errors, culminating in a devastating seven on his scorecard.
'It was a tough day,' McIlroy conceded afterwards, the disappointment palpable. 'I felt like I was playing well enough to be right up there, but that one hole… it just kills your momentum. It's a shame.'
The four-time major champion fought valiantly on the back nine, but the damage was done. A level-par 72 left him languishing well off the pace, his hopes of a second Irish Open title hanging by a thread.
Saddier Seizes the Initiative
As McIlroy faltered, Adrien Saddier was composing a masterclass. The Frenchman, ranked 252nd in the world, was flawless, navigating the challenging Palmer North Course with seven birdies and zero bogeys.
His putting was particularly sublime, holing a series of clutch par saves and capitalising on his opportunities to post a tournament-low round of 65. At ten-under-par, he holds a commanding lead over the chasing pack.
The Chasing Pack
Hot on Saddier's heels is a group of talented players ready to pounce on any weekend slip-up. England's Richard Mansell sits just two shots back after a solid 69, while Scotland's Connor Syme and Germany's Yannik Paul are a further stroke behind.
All eyes, however, will remain on McIlroy. The local hero now faces a monumental task over the final 36 holes if he is to mount a charge from the middle of the pack and give the home crowds the fairytale finish they so desperately crave.
