Molinari keeps motoring but it's misery for McIlroy

BMW PGA Championship - Virginia Water, Surrey, England - 22/5/15. Italy's Francesco Molinari in action during the second round Action Images via Reuters / Paul Childs

VIRGINIA WATER, England (Reuters) - Francesco Molinari recovered from a shaky start to maintain his lead at the BMW PGA Championship on Friday while title holder Rory McIlroy missed the cut for only the third time in 45 events.

McIlroy's back-nine 42 was riddled with errors and a miserable three-putt effort from 20 feet at the last hole meant he plunged to a six-over 78 and a five-over tally of 149.