McIlroy off the pace in Japan

Rory McIlroy's hopes of celebrating his 19th birthday with his first tour win sank in the Land of the Rising Sun.

Playing in Japan for the first time, the Ulster ace had to settle for his second successive one-over par 71 in the €750,000 Chunichi Crowns tournament in Nagoya.

Set to turn 19 tomorrow (Sunday) McIlroy is eight shots behind Japanese pair Ryoken Kawagishi and Satoru Hirota and Aussie Steve Conran in a share of 53rd on two-over par.

India's Jeev Milkha Singh is in a three-way tie for fourth in the race for the €150,000 top prize, just a shot off the pace on five under after a 67.

Hawaiian teenager Tadd Fujikawa, 17, is two shots better than McIlroy on level par after a second round 71.

The Crowns is one of the most prestigious tournaments on the Japan Golf Tour with Darren Clarke, Justin Rose, Greg Norman and Seve Ballesteros amongst the past winners.