McIlroy hits the front
Rory McIlroy shot his second 65 on the trot to hold a one-shot lead after two rounds of the Deutsche Bank Championship.
Rory McIlroy shot his second 65 on the trot to hold a one-shot lead after two rounds of the Deutsche Bank Championship.
The world number one holds a slender lead at twelve-under, one shot clear of former Open champion Louis Oosthuizen.
Tiger Woods is lurking ominously a further shot back, tied with Ryan Moore on ten-under. Charl Schwartzel and Jason Dufner lead a group of five players who are three shots off the pace.
Starting on the back nine, McIlroy took the turn in 30 thanks to three birdies and an eagle but was stymied slightly on the home straight as bogeys at the second and third off set three further birdies.
“Now that I’m in the tournament, I just want to play as well as I can and maybe reassess things going into the last day,” said McIlroy.
“But I was very happy with the two scores that I’ve got already and know that I need to go out and play just as good tomorrow to give myself a chance going into Monday.
“I got off to a nice start and sort of just kept the momentum going. Everything seemed to work pretty well out there.
“I felt like I drove the ball a bit better today and hit more fairways, which gave me some more opportunities to make birdies, and I was putting well enough to take a few of those.”
Woods endured a frustrating day in which he shot a 68, a score which could have been a lot lower had he found his stride with the putter. Instead, he missed three puts under ten feet and three-putted the 11th.
For Schwartzel, who is findinf his feet following an injury lay-off after tearing a muscle in his abdomen shortly after the US Open, a strong showing on Sunday is crucial.
“I had the injury at the US Open and it set me back quite a bit,” he told the official PGA website.
“I came back, lost a bit of confidence, and am just seeing if I can play myself back into it.
“There’s been great signs of it sort of from Wyndham, just finishing poorly on Sunday. Same thing at Bethpage, I was up there, finished poorly on Sunday.
“It’s there. Once again, I can feel the game is great, so just a matter of finishing it off.”
Latest
-
NewsRory McIlroy bemoans ‘ugly year’ and seeks solution to divide in golf world
The arrival of Saudi-backed LIV Golf series has fractured the game in 2022.
-
NewsOn this day in 2014 – Europe retain Ryder Cup with Gleneagles victory
The Gleneagles victory was Europe’s eighth win in 10 matches.
-
European Tour‘Is this where I am going to die?’ Nicolas Colsaerts on kidney disorder battle
The Belgian is the focus of attention this week as he belatedly defends the Cazoo Open de France title he won three years ago.
-
Ryder CupOn this day in 2008: Ryder Cup misery in Louisville for Nick Faldo’s Europe team
Faldo was heavily criticised for his tactics in the closing singles.
-
LIV GolfOpen champion Cameron Smith wins first LIV trophy in just second start
The world number two is the highest-ranked player to join the rebel series.
-
European TourRobert MacIntyre beats Matt Fitzpatrick in play-off to win Italian Open
MacIntyre birdied the first extra hole at Marco Simone Golf and Country Club, the venue for next year’s Ryder Cup.
-
European TourMatt Fitzpatrick holds narrow lead ahead of final round at Italian Open
Rory McIlroy and Aaron Rai are one shot off the pace.
-
European TourRory McIlroy picks up the pace to claim lead ahead of Matt Fitzpatrick in Rome
McIlroy’s group looked unlikely to complete their second rounds after taking three hours to play nine holes.
-
NewsMatt Fitzpatrick leads way at Italian Open despite ‘inconsistent’ display
The US Open champion held a one-shot lead over fellow Englishman Tom Lewis,
-
European TourRory McIlroy rues a late night until eagle gets him flying in Italian Open
The four-time major winner was only a shot behind leader Matt Fitzpatrick after the first round of the Rome event.