Rory McIlroy on the 9th hole in the WGC-Cadillac Championship at the Trump National course in Doral, Florida. Photograph: Jamie Squire/Getty Images
Days of golfing carnage are not restricted to major championships. Day two of the WGC-Cadillac Championship proved that much.
Amid winds which gusted up to 32mph, and on a revamped Trump National course on which several pins were frankly in ridiculous spots, the best golfers in the world were made to look rather silly at times.
Roll-offs from greens are fair enough but not, as is the case here, when so many water hazards lie in wait. The halfway lead, at one under, is held by Hunter Mahan, Matt Kuchar, Dustin Johnson and Patrick Reed.
"I'm sure Mr Trump wanted something pretty hard and a test for a World Golf Championship," said Luke Donald. Donald's theme was a recurring one. Justin Rose, who added a 77 to an opening round of 74, stopped short of criticising the course design but has clearly enjoyed happier working days.
Ian Poulter agreed. "It was unbelievably difficult to put the ball in play and unbelievably difficult to get it round the golf course," he said. The world No1, Tiger Woods, lies five over par but not completely out of things.
On whether or not this course was fair, Woods added: "For the most part. Rory McIlroy has struggled in windy conditions in the past, which makes the Northern Irishman's prominence all the more impressive here.
McIlroy's compatriot Graeme McDowell also sits at even par. "There weren't balls rolling off greens," McDowell said. "There weren't putts oscillating.