McIlroy leads Irish charge as McDowell rues ‘sloppy’ round

RORY MCILROY took over the leading Irish honours after Graeme McDowell was reminded of the well-worn “a day is a long time in politics” adage in the second round of the WGC–Bridgestone Invitational in Akron, Ohio.

McIlroy carded an adventurous one under par 69 to end in a share of 13th place on three-under par while Ryder Cup team mate McDowell described his round as “sloppy” after walking from the Firestone course yesterday with a pair of bogeys in a 73 for a one-under par tally.

It left McDowell, along with playing partner Pádraig Harrington, trailing six strokes adrift of South African Retief Goosen who carded a 66 to move one clear of the field on seven-under par.