May 25, 2018: Rory McIlroy was at his brilliant best on day two of the BMW PGA Championship – so much so that he drove his playing partner to thoughts of retirement.
The Northern Irishman showed signs of inspiration as he carded an opening 67 at Wentworth Club but he really found his stride on Friday, making seven birdies in a blemish-free 65 that got him to 12 under, just one shot short of Paul McGinley‘s 36-hole record from 2008.
Huge crowds followed the three-ball of McIlroy, defending champion Alex Noren and Lee Westwood at the opening Rolex Series event of the season and it was Noren who was astounded by the quality of McIlroy’s play.
“That’s the best round I’ve ever seen. I’m about to quit golf I think,” he joked.
That was coming from a man who knows a thing or two about good rounds on the West Course – winning this event last year thanks to a closing 62 – and he carded an excellent 68 of his own in round two.
That could not keep pace with McIlroy, however, who looked dialled-in from the off as he missed birdie chances from inside ten feet on the first, second and third before a lovely chip on the fourth saw him make his first move of the day.
Approaches to four and eight feet on the seventh and ninth helped the four-time Major Championship winner turn in 32 but it was a stunning run of four birdies in a row from the 12th that was vintage McIlroy.
He got up and down from the front of the par five 12th, holed a 25-foot left-to-righter on the 13th and then put his tee-shot to tap-in range on the 14th.
A brilliant 35-footer on the 15th then brought the biggest cheer of the day and McIlroy was happy with his day’s work as he goes in search of a second BMW PGA Championship title after his triumph in 2014.
“I played really well to go bogey-free around here,” he said. “It was one of the best rounds of golf I’ve played this year, ball-striking-wise. There’s still a couple of loose shots in there but overall it was a great round of golf.
That’s the best round I’ve ever seen. I’m about to quit golf I think – Alex Noren
“I had everything firing today and it was nice to take advantage of the opportunities I gave myself.
“It’s nice to live up to the billing. I really enjoy playing in front of these crowds, they are incredible to get up on a Friday morning at 8:00am and come out and follow us. It was a really great atmosphere out there. Being in the final group tomorrow, most likely, that atmosphere will be around the group again and I’m looking forward to that.
“I have the confidence that I’m playing well and I can go out and try to replicate what I did the day before. On the first tee box tomorrow, I’ll be thinking about what I did today and trying to just keep the same thoughts and make the same swings.
“I’ve had a win here and I know how that feels. I’d love to get a win here again and if that could kick start a summer like I had in 2014, I’d be all for that.
“It’s a big weekend for me.”
European Tour Release
