Rory McIlroy surged back into contention at the BMW PGA Championship, signing for a five-under-par 67 to sit four strokes behind American leader Ryan Gerard at Wentworth.
Having dropped three shots late in his opening round, the Northern Irishman quickly found his rhythm on Friday afternoon by collecting three birdies across his first five holes.
McIlroy, who is targeting an eighth Race to Dubai crown to equal the all-time record, dropped a shot on the eighth to turn in 33. He immediately recovered that with a 16-foot birdie putt on the 11th.
After picking up another shot on the par-three 14th, he conceded a bogey at the 16th when his second shot found the rough. However, a near-miss eagle on the 17th yielded a tap-in birdie, before he ended his day with another birdie at the last.
His rival for the Race to Dubai, Patrick Reed, was forced to withdraw midway through his round owing to an injury while nine over par. The American was aiming to become only the second player from his country after Collin Morikawa to lift the trophy, but his exit offers McIlroy a clear opportunity over the weekend.
Gerard had commenced the day on five under before producing a bogey-free 65, capped off by a 20-foot eagle putt on the 17th and a closing birdie to secure the outright lead.
Adam Scott moved to 10 under following a 67, a score that could have been lower had it not been for three dropped shots.
“I have had a couple of easy weeks,” the Australian said. “I felt a little under done, probably, golf-wise coming in here, but at least fresh mentally. I think that has been good for me the last couple days.”
Italian golfer Filippo Celli, making his debut appearance at Wentworth after regaining his tour card this year, shot a 66 featuring seven birdies and just one bogey.
US PGA champion Aaron Rai, playing alongside Masters winner McIlroy and Open champion Ryan Fox, carded a 69 with birdies on his final two holes. That placed the Englishman on nine under alongside Spain’s Manuel Elvira.
JJ Spaun, who started his round on the 10th, rolled in an eagle on the 18th to complete a 66 and move to eight under. He shares that mark with McIlroy, Fox, Nacho Elvira, and Ross Fisher, who also returned a 67.
Former US Open champion Spaun admitted he is contemplating more appearances on the DP World Tour ahead of upcoming PGA Tour adjustments.
“This was kind of like a stepping stone, just to see how it was and if I like it,” he said.
“I definitely feel like I am going to plan a little bit more of a global schedule or a European schedule moving forward in the fall time.”
Matt Wallace sits alone at seven under, while Jordan Smith’s 67—which contained two eagles and a double bogey—put him at six under alongside defending champion Alex Noren, who shot a five-under 67.
Tommy Fleetwood will miss the cut after finishing three over, while Jon Rahm struggled to a 77, ending 11 over par to record the worst 36-hole total of his career.
