World number one Rory McIlroy crashed out of the European PGA Championship at Wentworth on Friday when he missed the cut after collapsing to a six-over-par second round 78.

But the 26-year old refused to be downcast at missing only his third cut in 45 events – apart from winning the title last year, his record at Wentworth is mediocre overall.

McIlroy, who was one-under par overnight, had a nightmare day, missing seven fairways off the tee and finishing with a two-round total of 149, five-over par.

With around a quarter of the field still out on the course the projected cut was at one-over par, 145, with McIlroy comfortably out of contention and heading back to Ireland for next week’s Irish Open which he is hosting.

“I’m not angry,” McIlroy told reporters.

“A little disappointed I’m not going to be here for the weekend, but if there was any weekend to miss, coming off the back of three good weeks in the States, I’m probably in need of a little bit of a rest.

“Any time you’re defending a title, you want to come back and give it a valiant effort. This week wasn’t really that.”

Italy’s Francesco Molinari continued to take advantage of McIlroy’s loss of form and maintained his overnight lead despite making bogey fives at the first and third holes. He recovered to post a 69 to add his opening 65 for a two-round total of 134, 10 under par.

Argentina’s Emiliano Grillo jumped up the leader board with a 65 to finish two shots shy of Molinari alongside Thailand’s Thongchai Jaidee, who was level with Grillo after a fine 66, six under the card.

James Morrison of England was a shot back from that pair after a 66.

Joost Luiten of Holland was back on five-under par alongside Alex Noren of Sweden and Korea’s Ye Yang.