Rory McIlroy is on the way to Paris to spend the weekend watching girlfriend Caroline Wozniacki in action at the French Open tennis tournament – after missing another cut.

McIlroy and fellow Ryder Cup star Graeme McDowell failed to deal with dreadful weather conditions at Wentworth on Friday as they crashed out of the European Tour’s flagship PGA Championship.

But Offaly’s Shane Lowry, Darren Clarke and incoming Ryder Cup captain Paul McGinley flew the flag for Ireland as they comfortably made the cut.

Italy’s Francesco Molinari leads the way but McIlroy and McDowell both shot 75s to finish well off the cut mark on a day when freezing conditions and heavy rain caused havoc.

McIlroy said: “I’m definitely looking forward to getting back into some golf where I’m not playing in four layers.

“But it’s the same for everyone out there and that’s not really an excuse. I just didn’t play well. When I play in these conditions, I sort of try and do too much with the ball sometimes, I start to hit some bad shots and those bad shots obviously cost me.”

McDowell will now take some time off in Florida as he prepares for the US Open.

He said: “What’s my next event? The US Open ... yep, couldn’t have asked for better preparation! You know, I’d take missed cut every time if it always was followed by a win. Mind you, I really would’ve liked to play this weekend. This is a great event.”

Lowry hit a second round 71 to share eighth place as he again proved he is a master at dealing with bad weather.

The Clara native laughed: “I believe the weather’s supposed to be a bit decent tomorrow! I love this golf course and feel like it suits me. I feel like I can play well around here, so there’s no reason I can’t contend.”

Ryder Cup captain McGinley played with Lowry. He told the Irish Independent: “Shane was very good. He had to battle on the front nine and then played really well, making up a lot of ground with four birdies into the teeth of the wind on those last six holes. He really is a fine player.”