Tiger Woods missed the cut at the US PGA Championship and looks set to take a lengthy break from golf, while current number one Rory McIlroy surged to a one-stroke lead on a tough, rainy second day at the year's final major in Kentucky.
Tiger Woods on the way to missing the cut at the US PGA Photo: PHOTOSPORT
Woods' early exit came at a rain-sodden Valhalla course playing ultra-long, and was again in stark contrast to McIlroy.
The Northern Irishman concedes conditions were tough on a wet day two at the year's final major, but that didn't stop the 25-year-old from soaring to a one-shot lead at the Valhalla course.
McIlroy fired a second round four under par 67 to move to nine under, and a one-stroke lead over Australian Jason Day and the American veteran Jim Furyk.
Woods was badly out of sorts again, struggling with his game and his recurring back problems, as he carded another three over par 74 to miss the cut by five strokes.
The American great's round included just two birdies, three bogeys and a double.
Now the 14-time major champion's hopes of playing in next month's Ryder Cup look bleak after crashing out at Valhalla.
It's just the fourth time Woods has missed a major cut as a professional. He had previously missed the cut only at the 2006 US Open, 2009 British Open and 2011 PGA Championship.
Woods failed to qualify for the US Ryder Cup squad that will face holders Europe next month, although American captain Tom Watson said he would select the 38-year-old if Woods was healthy.
He's certain to miss the season-ending US PGA playoffs that begin in two weeks as well, and his 2013-14 PGA Tour season is over, with Woods having played just seven tournaments.
The 38-year-old only pronounced himself fit to compete at Valhalla on the eve of the tournament following a back scare he suffered at last week's WGC-Bridgestone Invitational in Ohio.
