Pre-tournament favourite Rory McIlroy continued his imperious run of form, producing a second round of 67 to establish a one shot lead at the halfway stage of the 96th PGA Championship.
The three-time major champion, seeking his third consecutive tournament victory, started the day one shot off the lead, and brushed off the damp morning conditions at Valhalla to move into pole position in the season’s final major.
Coming into the week seen as the man to beat, following his triumphs in the Open Championship and WGC Bridgestone Invitational, none will be dissuaded from retaining that belief with a rain-softened course well suited to his game.
The world number one started on Friday morning at the 10th, following a 50 minute suspension of play due to standing water on the course. Following a dropped shot on the 12th, the Northern Irishman immediately rebounded with a birdie, before another come at the par four 15th. The 25-year-old’s powerful game off the tee was evidenced once again on the 18th, where a long drive would set up an eagle putt - from 30 feet – which he would convert to complete his first nine holes in 33.
He would make a bogey on the long second, following an errant shot from the tee, before a succession of pars led him onto the par five seventh. It was here that McIlroy’s brilliance would shine through as he produced the most majestic of five-wood shot from 242 yards within nine feet of the hole. Unfortunately for his many devotees, the eagle putt would not be converted, and he settled for a birdie. He would end the round in style, with a 16-foot birdie putt on the ninth completing a four-under round of 67 and at nine-under for the championship.
Perhaps the most galling thing for potential challengers, was his ability to produce an excellent score despite not playing quite to his best. The truest sign of a player on top form and confidence, managing to maintain momentum by making key recoveries after wayward shots. Considering the unpleasant conditions, patience was key.
“My patience, of course it was tested because I didn't play quite as well as I did yesterday,” McIlroy said. “I had to get up-and-down a few times. Missed a few greens. It just wasn't as stress-free as it was yesterday.”
Despite an increase of on-course anxiety, this was a round that continues his incredible run of form. Stunningly, in his last 12 competitive rounds, McIlroy has averaged 67 for each 18 holes. A fact he attributes to not just the quality of his game, but the strength of his mind on the course.
“Mentally I'm in a really solid place in terms of not getting ahead of myself on the golf course,” he added. “Staying in the present. I've got a little trigger words that I'm still using, and that seems to be getting me through”
After 36-holes, the reigning Open Champion is one shot ahead of perennial major contender Jason Day, and former U.S. Open winner Jim Furyk.
The 26-year-old Australian, Day, has endured a frustrating few months due to a recurring thumb injury, but always remains a threat in golf’s biggest championships. The three-time major runner-up shot a joint-low round of the week with a 65 on Friday, and will partner McIlroy in the final pairing on Saturday.
44-year-old, Furyk, birdied his final two holes late on Friday to join Day in a tie for second. With this already long course playing to its maximum yardage due to the sodden fairways, the veteran American’s performance thus far is testament to a gritty determination that has seen him claim 16 PGA Tour victories.
Contending in a major has become a habit for Rickie Fowler – who shot 66 on Friday to position himself two shots off the lead alongside Ryan Palmer. At last month’s Open Championship, that was the deficit the gifted 25-year-old finished behind McIlroy at the conclusion of golf’s oldest major. That was his second successive major runner-up, after being a distant second to Martin Kaymer at Pinehurst, and the Butch Harmon pupil will be hoping to go one better this weekend in Kentucky.
Another member of ‘Team Harmon’ is five-time major champion Phil Mickelson, who is in a position to potentially erase a frustrating season with a second victory in this championship. The 44-year-old, playing alongside fellow former winners Tiger Woods and Padraig Harrington, fought hard to complete a second round of 67 – signed off with a thrilling eagle on the 18th.
Sadly, there will be no weekend for Mickelson’s ailing compatriot, Tiger Woods. Clearly troubled with significant back discomfort, the 14-time major champion battled around to second consecutive round of 74 that sees him miss the cut in a major for just the fourth time as a professional. Clearly, Woods returned from injury too soon, and it is now to be hoped that he takes the time to fully recover ahead of next year.
Martin Kaymer, Keegan Bradley and Jordan Spieth would also be among those that failed to advance to the weekend, while an intriguing group that includes Steve Stricker, Henrik Stenson and Lee Westwood remain firmly in touch of McIlroy.
It has all the potential to be a thrilling weekend, but it will take an immense effort from any of these chasers to overcome the world number one. He may be only one shot clear, but he cannot be expected to relent during the final 36-holes.
Fireworks can certainly be expected, especially from a County Down lad who is seeking a second straight major victory. As he says himself: “I'm very pleased. I'm in a great position going into the weekend in another major championship. Can't ask for much more.”
A little more may yet be to come.