McIlroy stays on track

Rory McIlroy produced a gritty back nine as he battled stiff afternoon winds to card a second round 67 and go into the third round of the Honda Classic, with his world number one hopes intact.

Two behind clubhouse leader Tom Gillis (64) on six under going out, McIlroy birdied the third but then bogeyed the 13th on a windy afternoon at PGA National in Palm Beach Gardens.

But he showed his class over the tough closing stretch. He hit an approach to two feet at the 14th and to 15 feet at the terrifying par-three 15th, before burying a seven-footer at the last to finish the day just a shot behind Gillis and Justin Rose, who carded a second successive 66 to grab a share of the lead.