Birdie run puts spring back in McIlroy’s step

Rory McIlroy came into Oak Hill looking to regain the bounce in his step and after a stirring fightback during the second round of his PGA Championship defence he was looking forward with optimism to a weekend in contention in the final Major of the year.

The world No 3 had started his round at one under par alongside fellow Irishman Darren Clarke, four shots off the first-round lead shared by Adam Scott and Jim Furyk. With eight holes remaining in his second round, McIlroy found himself not in contention but facing a third missed cut in his last four starts at five over for the tournament as Masters champion Scott was pushing his lead out to seven under.

Yet the persistent and often heavy rain that had hindered his progress over his first 10 holes and coughed up four bogeys and a double bogey suddenly subsided and McIlroy got his groove back, storming home in those last eight holes bogey-free and with four birdies to get back to level par at the halfway stage.