NEWCASTLE, Northern Ireland: World No. 1 Rory McIlroy faces missing the cut for a second week in succession after posting a nine-over-par 80 in the opening round at his home event, the Irish Open, on Thursday.

On a day of strong winds and intermittent showers, McIlroy failed to record a single birdie in a nightmare round at the par 71 Royal County Down course.

He missed the cut at the last two Irish Open tournaments.

His score left him in last position among other players out early after a round that saw him struggle with both his iron play and the putter.

“Off the tee, I felt my game was ok and I put myself in good positions, but then as I got closer to the greens, the worse it got,” said McIlroy.

“I didn’t hit very many good iron shots and then from there my putting wasn’t that good... I sort of just lost concentration on the greens.

“So, nothing went right and I was trying hard to birdie the last to try and break 80, but it just didn’t quite happen.”

Fellow PGA Championship and US Open winner Martin Kaymer did only marginally better with an eight over par 79.

German Kaymer also failed to score a birdie, had three bogeys and two double bogeys in his round.

McIlroy’s score is his poorest in Europe since a similar round of 80 on the second day of the 2010 Open Championship at St. Andrews.

McIlroy arrived in his native Northern Ireland having missed the cut in last week’s Tour flagship event at Wentworth.

“I’ve got to go out tomorrow and try my best and try to claw my way back inside the cut-off line and back into this tournament,” he said.

“It’s disappointing for the large crowds out there, who followed us around this morning, as I wanted to play well not just for myself.”

Englishman Danny Willett carded a two under 69 to share the clubhouse lead with Denmark’s Soren Kjeldsen.

American Rickie Fowler carded a respectable level par 71.

Only six players among the 78 early starters broke par.

Mamat leads Bangladesh Open

Mardan Mamat of Singapore held his nerve in the closing four holes to seize a one-shot lead after the second round of the inaugural Bangladesh Open in Dhaka on Thursday.

Mamat, 47, produced six birdies against two late dropped shots to return with a four-under-par 67 and finish day two at nine-under 133 in the $300,000 Asian Tour event.

The four-time Asian Tour winner held a one-shot advantage over Carlos Pigem of Spain, who shot 67 in each of the first two rounds at the scenic Kurmitola Golf Course.

Thailand’s Panuphol Pittayarat charged into contention with a fine 66 to join Janne Kaske of Finland on seven-under 135, but the biggest applause from Bangladeshi fans was reserved for home grown Dulal Hossain.

Hossain, a former ball boy at Kurmitola who turned professional two years ago, shot a stunning 63 to trail Mardan by just three shots going into the penultimate round on Friday.

Hossain’s low score was marked by seven birdies and a 20-foot eagle putt on the 14th hole, giving him a realistic shot at the title on his home course.

“This is the first time I shot an eight-under on this course,” he said. “I hope I will have a chance to win. This is my home course, so I think I will have a big chance.”

Leading scores after second round at the par-71 Kurmitola Golf Course:

133 — Mardan Mamat (SIN) 66-67.

134 — Carlos Pigem (ESP) 67-67.

135 — Panuphol Pittayarat 69-66, Janne Kaske (FIN) 68-67.

136 — Dulal Hossain (BAN) 73-63.

138 — Berry Henson (USA) 71-67.

139 — Khalin Joshi (IND) 71-68, Unho Park (AUS) 72-67.

140 — Soom-in Lee (KOR) 70-70, Rattanon Wannasrichan (THA) 67-73, Chirat Jirasuwan (THA) 71-69, Mithun Perera (SRI) 74-66.