McIlroy 6-4 to miss cut at a Major after early exit

RORY MCILROY is 6-4 with Ladbrokes to miss the cut in one of the three remaining Majors this year after not making the weekend in the Players Championship this week.

The world No. 1 and current US Open champion swerved Sawgrass last year, and freely admits to not understanding how to master the Ponte Vedra set-up, is also 3-1 with Ladbrokes to give the Florida event a wide berth again next year.

But he vows to return next year, after carding a four-over par 76 on Friday following Thursday's 72, and is 12-1 with the Magic Sign to not only flourish in Florida but win the title.

Luke Donald and Lee Westwood, who can take over from McIlroy at the head of the rankings with victory or high finishes at Sawgrass, both made the cut but have work to do if they are to claim the spoils.

Both men are five shots back of Matt Kuchar, Kevin Na and Zach Johnson, who start the third round on eight under and Adam Scott is on six under.

Kuchar is now an 11-2 favourite in the outright betting with Hills and Paddy Power. Johnson can be backed at 13-2 and Scott at 8-1.

Na is available at 12-1 with Westwood at 14-1 while bet365 are a standout 18-1 about Tiger Woods, who is two under.

Donald is 20-1 with betfred and Paddy Power for Sawgrass success and 7-4 with Ladbrokes to be world No. 1 at the end of the year. McIlroy is 6-4 with Ladbrokes to top the rankings on December 31.

Log on to racingpost.com/sport on Sunday morning for golf guru Steve Palmer's Players Championship Golfwise Extra