Defending PGA champion Rory McIlroy looked and sounded subdued after a second straight round of 71 for a two under par tally on day two of the PGA Championship.
On a day when Japan’s Hiroshi Iwata equalled the lowest score in major history with a 63 and playing partner Jordan Spieth shot 67, McIlroy had to settle for a second consecutive 71 at Whistling Straits.
Playing his first tournament since he finished ninth in the U.S. Open in June after seven weeks out due to an ankle ligament injury, McIlroy made amends for a double bogey on the 18th by chipping in for eagle on the second and also carded two birdies and one bogey.
Rory McIlroy admits he felt ‘annoyed’ post his second round at Whistling Straits. (Photo – www.golfbytourmiss.com)
McIlroy stepped in front of the microphone and it was Bernie who soon asked him if he felt annoyed post his round.
“I felt like tee to green I hit the ball pretty well, I’m probably just not as sharp with the short game as I would like to be,” the world number one said. “It was good to get the two shots back that I dropped on 18 and I gave myself good chances on the third and fifth, but did not take them.
“There’s plenty of chances out there and if I can convert a few hopefully there is a low score in me.
“I felt like I played better than what the score reflected. A little bit annoyed. I felt like I should have got that ball up and down on seven and then I had a great chance on eight for birdie and didn’t take that. A couple of days in a row where I haven’t finished the round of golf the way I wanted to.
“I don’t know if it’s rust or I just didn’t putt well, so maybe just work on that a little bit before I tee off tomorrow and it would be great to hole a few more putts, because I feel like I’m giving myself plenty of chances.
“Probably one of the most surprising things about yesterday is how quickly I got back into the mindset of tournament golf and being aggressive. That hasn’t really been an issue, it’s just being a bit more efficient, whenever you give yourself chances, take them, and be able to get it up and down when you put yourself out of position.”
McIlroy look set to be the only Irishman in action over the weekend.
Both Shane Lowry and Padraig Harrington made some ground but ended on three over, while Graeme McDowell endured another nightmare end to his round.
He finished bogey-double bogey-bogey to card a 76 and end on +5. Darren Clarke was +15 after his 36 holes.
The projected cut is +2.
