Rory McIlroy is nine shots off the lead going into day 3 of the Houston Open.

The world number 2 will tee off from 1 under having just made the cut but Shane Lowry will not be around for the weekend.

American Steve Wheatcroft leads by one on 10 under.

Michael Hoey is the only Irish player to have survived the cut at the Trophy Hassan in Morocco.

The defending champion will resume from 1 under par this morning, which is still 11 shots behind out-right leader Marcel Siem.

The German holds a 3 shot lead over the rest of the field on 12-under.