(CNN)Rory McIlroy's homecoming turned sour Thursday as a nine-over par 80 left the world number one way off the pace at the Irish Open and struggling to make the cut for the second straight week.
McIlroy is hosting the event at the Royal County Down Golf Club, but tough and windy conditions left the 26-year-old with a string of bogeys on his card to the dismay of the massive gallery following his group with U.S. Open champion Martin Kaymer and Rickie Fowler.
Germany's Kaymer also disappointed with a 79, but Fowler, playing for the first time since his Players Championship success in the United States, carded a challenging level-par 71.