The fourth-ranked player in the world carded a boring, occasionally sloppy even-par 71 to tie for third at the Open de France, five shots behind overnight leader and champion Thongchai Jaidee.
Just two back to start the day, McIlroy quickly found himself four back when he bogeyed the par-5 third. After playing his third shot with his body wedged up against a tree, McIlroy jammed a short putt for par right of the hole and never recovered.
Some four to five shot back for the remainder of the day, McIlroy worked for par after par, making 16 Sunday, and added a lone birdie at the par-5 14th.