front nine

Defending champion Lydia Ko finished one over par, while 2023 winner Lilia Vu recovered from a run of four consecutive bogeys on the front nine to post a two-over-par 74.

A two-under 34 on the front nine failed to do that and when McIlroy frittered away two shots on the 10th, it was clear the championship was beyond his reach.

Matt Fitzpatrick mixed two bogeys with three birdies on the front nine.

Hatton, who like Westwood, is yet to win a major, played the front nine in 33 and closed with seven successive pars to end the day one off the pace.

His three under par on the front nine of the second day at the North was noteworthy, but hardly foretold a round that would go into lore.