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Associated Press 16y

McIlroy, Rumford share lead at European Masters

CRANS-SUR-SIERRE, Switzerland -- Rory McIlroy shot an even-par 71 Friday for a share of the lead with defending champion Brett Rumford after the second round of the European Masters, where American teen Tadd Fujikawa missed the cut.

Fujikawa had a poor start for the second straight day with bogeys at his first three holes en route to a 72 and a 3-over 145 total, three strokes above the cut.

"Small mistakes cost me the cut. You can't do that on any tour," the 17-year-old Fujikawa said. "I had a lot of chances but I couldn't make anything."

Fujikawa has struggled since turning pro last summer. He made history as a 16-year-old at the Sony Open in January 2007, when he became the youngest player in 50 years to make the cut on the PGA Tour.

Meanwhile, Fujikawa's father was charged with trafficking methamphetamine and awaits trial next month in Hawaii. Derrick Fujikawa was named in an indictment returned July 31 by a Honolulu grand jury, according to a document released Thursday by the city prosecutor's office. It said he distributed one-eighth of an ounce or more of meth Sept. 24 and Oct. 4. If convicted, he could face up to 40 years in prison.

McIlroy, a 19-year-old Northern Irishman, could not reproduce his opening 63, and Rumford caught him with a second straight 67 to finish the day at 8-under 134.

They were a stroke ahead of Juan Abbate (67), Jean-Francois Lucquin (67), and Alejandro Canizares (68). Peter Lawrie (69) was two strokes behind along with Fredrik Andersson Hed (67) and Simon Dyson (67).

Miguel Angel Jimenez (69), the only member of Europe's Ryder Cup team in the field, was a further stroke behind, level with eight others.

The sun returned to Crans-sur-Sierre on Friday after Thursday's intermittent rain.

"It was more like Wednesday's pro-am," Rumford said.

Even so, there was still a stiff wind and some tough pin positions.

"Some of the pins were extremely tricky and it was difficult to get to them," McIlroy said. "On those holes you just had to take your par and go to the next. It really tests your patience.

"My iron play was not quite as good yesterday, but I holed a lot of good par putts to keep myself going," McIlroy added.

One of them was at the 236-yard, par-3 16th, where he made a 12-footer to save par. He sank a 15-footer at the next and a 10-footer at the last after getting a free drop when his second shot ended up against the base of the grandstand.

Rumford played steady golf on a course he described as being unlike anywhere else.

"This is a very unique place and golf course," he said.

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