Rory McIlroy under the weather again as Singapore Open hit by rain delays

By MARK GARROD
Published on 10/11/2012 01:34

Three rain delays are not the only thing world No 1 Rory McIlroy has had to contend with at the Barclays Singapore Open so far this week. The Northern Ireland star, who this time last year had a bout of suspected Dengue fever, admits he is under the weather again after going down with what he 
described as “a cold or a sinus infection”.

McIlroy, close to clinching the double of European and US Tour money list titles, was one-under-par and five off the lead after 12 holes of his second round in an event which may be cut to 54 holes if there are any more hold-ups.

“I’m struggling a bit and not feeling 100 per cent,” he said. “Maybe it’s a good thing that the humidity is so high 
because I might be able to sweat it out.”

The tournament’s attempt to make up for time lost on the opening day was thwarted by more afternoon storms.

After completing a first-round 70, McIlroy was soon out on the course again and in danger of missing the halfway cut when he fell to two-over-par with an early bogey and double-bogey. Then came three birdies in four holes around the turn, the third of them 
following a near two-hour suspension, but after only one more shot it was back to the clubhouse.

England’s Simon Dyson, a four-time winner in Asia, and Thai golfer Chapchai Nirat topped the leaderboard at six under par, although Dyson was about to drop his first stroke of the second round. After four birdies in seven holes, the 34-year-old from York missed a par putt on the 474-yard fifth – his 14th – just as the siren sounded and his first shot in the morning will be to try to hole for bogey.

Nirat, 631st in the world, started with a 65 to lead by one and then played the back nine in level par with two birdies and two bogeys. He has not had a top-ten finish since February, but has tried to remain patient. “I used to be very hot-tempered and got frustrated easily, especially at a young age,” said the 29-year-old, who turned professional at 15. “My parents sent me to the monastery and I became a monk for a while. My temper is better now, but I still try to go back there once in a while.”

Richie Ramsay, lying on one-under, hadn’t set out for his second round 
before play was abandoned, while Colin Montgomerie and Stephen Gallacher, both on one-under, were also among those left kicking their heels. Ross Bain and Scott Jamieson, though, were both heading for an early exit on ten-over.