Rory McIlroy heated up on the back nine at Quail Hollow on Friday and moved into contention for the Truist Championship, posting a 4-under 67 to move within four strokes of leader Im Sung-jae.
Playing in his first tournament since winning the Masters two years in a row, McIlroy entered the turn with a 1-under and eight-shot lead, but improved with back-to-back birdies on the 10th and 11th.
McIlroy added birdies on the 13th, 15th and 16th, but his par putt on the 18th found a greenside bunker and he ended his round with a bogey.
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Rory McIlroy hits a 393-yard drive after bouncing along the cart path in the second round of the Tourist Championship
“It was a good day to pick myself up and I felt like I had a real chance heading into the weekend,” McIlroy said. “I can now swing better, especially with irons.”
Tommy Fleetwood is just one stroke behind the leader after two rounds of the Trust Championship
McIlroy isn’t the only big name in contention. Tommy Fleetwood shot a 67 for the second day in a row, trailing Im in the lead by one stroke.
Justin Thomas, who won the PGA Championship at Quail Hollow in 2017, is a two-back with PGA Tour newcomer Alex Fitzpatrick (brother of Matt Fitzpatrick) and has continued his strong start since winning the Zurich Classic in New Orleans to earn his tour card.
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Highlights from Round 4 of the Zurich Classic in New Orleans at TPC Louisiana in Avondale
Meanwhile, Rickie Fowler shot an eight-under 63, including nine birdies, in the low round of the day, moving him into the lead. Like McIlroy, he is 5 under, four strokes off the pace.
Cameron Young, a two-time winner on this year’s PGA Tour, shot a 70 and is five shots behind.
For Lim, the Korean shot a 69 following an opening seven-under 64 and is aiming for his first tour win since Las Vegas in 2021.
“I know this course well, so I’m taking advantage of that,” Lim said. “Then I scramble. Thanks to my play in the Presidents Cup, I know where to hit the greens and I’m used to this golf course. But I didn’t putt very well today, but I’m happy with where I’m at.”
Chandler Blanchett made the best shot of the day, making a hole-in-one on the par-3 17th hole. He is the fourth 17-year-old to ace in tournament history, and the first since Mark Hubbard in 2023.
Watch the Turist Championship live all week long on Sky Sports. Coverage of the third round begins on Saturday at 5pm on Sky Sports Golf. Get and stream Sky Sports without a contract.
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