Rory McIlroy pain in Bear Trap but makes cut at Honda Classic

Rory McIlroy found himself mauled in the middle of the Bear Trap, but still survived a brutal day at the Honda Classic to give himself faint hopes of arresting the longest winless run of his 11-year career.

Indeed, but for the triple-bogey on the 17th (his eighth), McIlroy would have posted one of the most eye-catching rounds on a second day when the PGA National played as hard as ever.

And if a professional golfer can ever not be too ashamed of going three-over on a hole, then maybe it is at the 190-yarder which is the most arduous of the three-hole stretch named in honour of its designer, Jack Nicklaus.

McIlroy was one of the 18 players – from the first 41 – to find the water. Not only that, but he failed to hit the green when he elected to take his third off the tee-box again. From the bunker, he splashed out and two-putted for a six and all of the good work of his opening seven holes was thus undone.

But the Irishman fought back for a second 72 – seven shots behind clubhouse leader Luke List.

What can McIlroy hope for Sunday? “World ranking points, FedEx Cup points and some cash hopefully – that’s about it,” he said.