McIlroy makes light of disruption to stay firmly in contention in Toronto

Despite protestors, defending Canadian Open champion remains in hunt after second-round 68 leaves him one shot off the lead

Locked in: Ahead of next week's US Open, Rory McIlroy is looking to defend his Canadian Open title in Toronto. Pic: Niall Carson/PA Wire.

A week where the game of golf has veered from infamy to ridicule still found time for one more bizarre moment before the weekend arrived. Much like has done throughout this testing spell, Rory McIlroy seemed unfazed. 

As the Irishman and playing partners Justin Thomas and Corey Conners were nearing the end of their second round at the Canadian Open, protestors entered the 17th hole near the green and let off pink flares. The nature of the protest wasn't immediately clear but a number of climate change activists have disrupted sporting events of late. A spectator video showed the protestors being tackled by course security.