Rory McIlroy 10 shots off the pace at the WGC-HSBC Champions
Friday 6 November 2015 15:02, UK
Rory McIlroy admits he still hasn't fully recovered from his bout of food poisoning, as the world No 3 slipped down the leaderboard at the second round of the WGC-HSBC Champions.
The Race to Dubai leader surprised himself with an opening-round 68 at Sheshan International, but was left frustrated with several poor shots along the back nine in a level-par 72 on Friday.
McIlroy mixed four birdies with as many bogeys during an up-and-down day in blustery conditions, narrowly avoiding slipping further down the leaderboard after a finding the water at the last.
The Northern Irishman's preparations for the second event on the Final Series were hampered by illness, forcing him to miss practice and Wednesday's Pro-Am, and McIlroy feels his game still isn't at full strength.
"I didn't play very well today. I was just a bit flat out there," McIlroy told Sky Sports 4. "I've left myself a lot to do over the weekend but hopefully I can shoot a couple of good scores and get myself back up the leaderboard.
"I wouldn't say I'm 100 per cent. I struggled to hit balls today on the range, got a few cramps in the stomach. But I took a couple of tablets and it sort of went away as I went through the round."
In the mix
Russell Knox found out less than a week ago that he'd be playing in Shanghai, but the Scot has taken full advantage of his late call-up to head in to the weekend just two off the lead.
Knox was initially seventh reserve for the 78-man event, but the first four were drafted in to complete the field before England's Tyrrell Hatton replaced the injured George Coetzee.
Brandt Snedeker withdrew last week to hand Ian Poulter a place in the tournament and when fellow American JB Holmes was also forced out, Knox found himself competing for a first European Tour title.
The 30-year-old carded seven birdies during a blemish-free 65 to move to outright second on the leaderboard, but admits it had been a hectic few days to get everything in place to play.
"My wife was a superstar and she filled out all the forms for us," said Knox, who currently sits 20th in the Race to Dubai standings.
Live World Golf Championship
"While we were playing on Friday she took all the stuff to the Chinese embassy in Kuala Lumpur and had it processed. Then we had to wait around till Monday at 2pm to get them back and they gave us our passports.
"We flew here on Tuesday morning but my caddie didn't have proof of accommodation so he was a day behind us. So when we got here my wife caddied for me. We got a stand bag from the pro here and chucked the clubs in and played the quickest practice round ever and she complained heavily for the last nine holes!"
Watch the WGC-HSBC Champions live throughout the weekend on Sky Sports 4 - your home of golf. Or watch without a contract on NOW TV
