Rory McIlroy off pace at British Masters

Rory McIlroy has reached the halfway stage of the British Masters in 25th place after shooting a second-round score of 69.

The Northern Irishman is looking to end his season with some improved form but despite a second successive under-par round, the world number six sits eight shots off the pace.

England’s Tyrrell Hatton leads the event in Newcastle by three shots, but Lee Westwood and Ian Poulter are in a group of five players who sit in joint second.

Graeme McDowell – who now sits at 137th in the world rankings – is in a share of 10th place as he desperately looks to record a positive result, while Chris Wood and Matthew Fitzpatrick are tied for 19th spot.

Danny Willett is alongside McIlroy in what is a welcome boost for the 2016 Masters champion, but Sergio Garcia – this year’s winner at Augusta – was among the players who missed the cut.