Rory McIlroy shot 67 to move within five of the lead at the halfway point, while Shane Lowry barely made the cut.
Rory McIlroy hauled himself to within five strokes of the leaders at the midway stage of the US PGA Championship.. The 37-year-old’s impressive 67 not only secured his weekend spot—far from guaranteed following an opening four-over round he branded as “s***”—but also kept his winning hopes very much alive.. Early birdies on two of his opening four holes sparked optimism of a Friday fightback for the six-time major champion at Aronimink Golf Club in south-west
Philadelphia.. While several opportunities slipped through his grasp, only two competitors have bettered McIlroy’s score this week.. He’ll head into Saturday’s action at one over par, trailing Americans Alex Smalley and Maverick McNealy by five shots at the summit.. World number one Scottie Scheffler battled his way to a one-over par round earlier, maintaining his challenge on a tightly packed leaderboard.. Meanwhile, Chris Gotterup produced the championship’s finest round yet, storming into contention with a
brilliant 65.. McIlroy began his day eight shots behind the clubhouse leaders, desperately needing momentum.. He found it early, with pinpoint approach play setting up his two quick birdies.. A solid par save at the eighth, after escaping the rough, kept things ticking.. However, birdie opportunities went begging, with McIlroy clearly annoyed after a miss on the par-five ninth.. Painfully sluggish play plagued the entire day, with McIlroy even grabbing a seat while waiting to
tee off at the 10th.. The Northern Irishman continued his steady progress, collecting another shot at the 12th hole.. However, a prime birdie opportunity at the par-five 16th escaped him, preventing further gains.. Early starters contended with challenging winds that made the already difficult greens even trickier, though conditions eased as evening approached, creating more scoring chances.. McNealy seized his opportunities brilliantly, making an eagle at the 16th before adding birdies at the first, second
and fifth holes to push the leading score to six under par for the first time.. However, a pair of late bogeys brought him back to the field, where he joined Smalley, who started the day in a seven-way share of the lead and carded a one-under 69.. Six players sit just one stroke behind at three under, including Gotterup and former Masters champion Hideki Matsuyama, while 15 competitors remain within two shots of the
lead at the halfway stage – only the third time this has occurred in major championship history.. European Ryder Cup star Ludvig Aberg produced the second-best round of the opening two days, his impressive 66 bringing him back into contention at two under – alongside an elite group featuring Scheffler, Justin Thomas and Cameron Young.. Several European stars endured a difficult day.. Shane Lowry started just one shot off the pace but a dismal morning,
which included inexplicably finding water at the 17th, led to a 76 as he barely made the cut.. Despite carding two double bogeys, Justin Rose produced a stunning moment of brilliance on his final hole, chipping in from the rough for eagle to secure his place in the weekend’s play at three over par.. Meanwhile, Tommy Fleetwood and Robert MacIntyre both fell at the cut, posting rounds of 73 and 75 respectively.. Click here to
sign up to our sport newsletter, bringing you the top stories and biggest headlines from Ireland and beyond .
US PGA Championship, Rory McIlroy, Shane Lowry, Aronimink, Scottie Scheffler, Alex Smalley, Maverick McNealy