Rory McIlroy blamed a gust of wind for a disappointing finish to what might have been the round of the day at Wentworth Club.
A birdie on the last hole of his second round had enabled the 22 year old World Number Six to survive the halfway cut with nothing to spare at the BMW PGA Championship.
But on his return to the hole McIlroy's five wood approach found the stream in front of the green.
After four earlier birdies a bogey six meant a three under par 68 and one over total - seven behind overnight leaders Luke Donald, Alvaro Quiros and Matteo Manassero, who had yet to tee off again.
"I hit it really well, but the wind came back into my face as soon as I hit it," said the Northern Irishman, trying to battle back from an opening 76 that had left him 12 shots adrift of Donald.
"I played a really good round and am very disappointed with the last, but a 68 in these conditions was a pretty good score."
Welshman Rhys Davies improved from two over to one under, but then double-bogeyed the ninth, while playing partner Colin Montgomerie mixed two birdies with two bogeys on the outward half to remain two over.
As well as being in the hunt for the title Donald was also in position to take the World Number One spot off Lee Westwood.
With third-ranked Martin Kaymer three over with three to play it was a straight head-to-head between the two Englishmen and Westwood's birdie at the short second after hitting his tee shot within five feet lifted him into joint eighth on two under.
