Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry avoid cut trouble but off the pace at Wentworth

Viktor Hovland, who eagled the 18th for the second day running in addition to four birdies, was the clubhouse leader on 11 under.

Rory McIlroy needed a flurry of birdies on the back nine to reach the weekend at Wentworth (Adam Davy/PA)

Rory McIlroy’s charge through the back nine saw him escape the threat of missing the cut but untidy play continued to plague him at the BMW PGA Championship.

Three successive bogeys from the third had left the Masters champion and last week’s Irish Open winner two shots outside the projected two-under mark required to progress to the final two rounds at Wentworth.