World no. 2 Rory McIlroy shot a 7 under par 67, one shot off the lead in the PGA Tour Honda Classic.
American Dickie Pride shot a 67 to join McIlroy on seven under.
The 22 year old McIlroy currently making waves because of his spectacular performance in 2011 and for the first quarter of 2012.
His superb performance is no laughing matter. It’s hard to find anyone in the world who is playing better at the moment.
The Northern Irishman knows it’s a matter of time before he can ascend to the top of the game.
If he wins the PGA Tour Honda Classic this week end, he will be taking over the no. 1 spot from Luke Donald.
”I just need to keep doing the same things, try to drive the ball in the fairway and give myself loads of opportunities and try and take a few, because you don’t need to make tons of birdies out here,” McIlroy said. “You just have to keep the big numbers off your card.”
He certainly caught the attention of some fans, too.
A pair of 20-somethings in the gallery were wearing wigs to match McIlroy’s hair with t-shirts that read “Kiss me, I’m Rory.” On the back was a prediction of next week’s Official World Golf Rankings. With a victory here, McIlroy could move to No. 1.
The round of the day came from American left-hander Brian Harman who shattered the course record by three with a dazzling 61 to reach six under.
Graeme McDowell hit 64 to go three-under while Lee Westwood and playing partner Tiger Woods were both one under.
Woods was in danger of missing the cut but birdied the last two holes.
He said: “I got it going, lost it, got it going, lost it and then got it going. It was a little bit of a fight, probably the worst I’ve hit the ball in months.
The PGA Tour Honda Classic Second round leaderboard:
-8: Justin Rose (England), Tom Gillis (US)
-7: Rory McIlroy (Nothern Ireland), Dicky Pride (US)
-6: Vaughn Taylor (US), Brian Harman (US), Jimmy Walker (US)
-5: Harris English (US), Keegan Bradley (US), Charles Howell III (US)
Selected others: Graeme McDowell (Northern Ireland) -3,
Padraig Harrington (Ireland) -2, Brian Davis -2,
Lee Westwood (England) -1, Tiger Woods (US)-1
