RORY MCILROY saw his British Open lead literally blow away yesterday – as gale force winds contributed to a horrific second round that saw him disappear from the leaderboard.

The County Down prodigy – who had shot a Majors record of 63 on the opening day – crashed to a eight-over-par second round of 80, a full 17 shots more than his round just 24 hours earlier.

On a day blighted by windy weather, which forced the organisers to suspend play when balls started to move on the green, McIlroy slipped from a two-shot lead down to a tie for 39th, though still comfortably making the cut.

McIlroy condemned the move to suspend play, saying: “The conditions hadn’t changed when we got back out there – it was probably worse!”

The contrasts were striking: on his first round McIlroy did not drop a single shot, carding an eagle and seven birdies. Yesterday, he recorded six bogeys and one double bogey – on the par-3 11th, which he had birdied on Thursday.

Northern Ireland is still well represented, however, with US Open champion Graeme McDowell in a tie for 7th on -5 – albeit a full seven shots behind the leader, Louis Oosthuizen, who managed to dodge the worst of the weather.

Darren Clarke is a further shot back on -4, tied for 14th alongside Tiger Woods with whom he will tee off today at 3:05pm.

Irish Open champ Shane Lowry is another shot back, and is paired with Vijay Singh today.

Two-time former champion Padraig Harrington has been sent home, finishing +6 after yesterday’s round and missing the cut.