US Open: Rory McIlroy resigned to missing cut after final green woe Published on Saturday 16 June 2012 12:07 Rory McILROY was left hoping that a careless three-putt bogey was not the difference between making the halfway cut and packing his bags at the US Open in San Francisco last night. The bogey four meant a three over par 73 to add to his opening 77 and at 10 over he was resigned to making his fourth early exit from his last five tournaments. World number one Luke Donald was on his way out too, a 72 leaving him 11 over and still waiting for his first major title. Tiger Woods was the favourite after his opening 69 and he remained one under and joint second with Ryder Cup teammates David Toms and Jim Furyk after surviving the 520-yard par four first undamaged. Donald knew he needed something special after starting with a 79 and after the promise of an opening birdie - he did not have any on the first day - his chances slowly ebbed away. "It was a little better today, but little consolation obviously," he said. I think I missed nine putts inside 10 feet yesterday and just couldn't get a feel for the greens. It wasn't to be and I'm trying to learn from it and come back stronger next time.I feel I was prepared - I certainly don't regret anything that I did before teeing up. Last year he admitted to overdoing things. "I think it was more a case of just not quite feeling too comfortable with the swing this week and that happens," he added. McDowell stated: "It's just tough to have fun out there, I've got to be honest with you. It's just a brutal test of golf. I'm disappointed to bogey three of the last four, but that's what this golf course can do to you in a heartbeat - and if you had offered me one over par starting on the first tee yesterday I would have probably snapped your arm off for it. I'm very happy to be where I am. I made enough birdies to kind of offset some mistakes,which I think's key. I felt I had really turned a corner last week (he was seventh in Memphis and had a chance to win before double-bogeying the last) and if this was a normal tournament I think I would be there or thereabouts. He has the Irish Open at Royal Portrush next in a fortnight - he is the course record holder there - and two weeks after that comes The Open at roytal Lytham. As he departed Woods moved into a share of the lead - thanks to Thompson following his bogey with a double bogey. The pair were one under along with Furyk, the only one of the three finished, since Toms resumed with a bogey. It was ominous for the rest of the field when Woods, given a huge boost by winning the Memorial Tournament a fortnight ago, hit his tee shot to five feet on the 247-yard third. When the birdie putt went in he was two under and led on his own.