Sky Sports.com - USPGA Championship

Rose plays his approach to the 16th

American JB Holmes is the only man under par at the halfway stage of the USPGA but England's Justin Rose is hot on his heels.

The 26-year-old from Kentucky took advantage of friendlier early conditions to shoot a second round 68 to get to one-under-par, a shot clear of Rose and Americans Ben Curtis and Charlie Wi.

Once the undulating greens firmed up on a blustery day in Michigan, scoring became much more difficult.

Curtis and Rose were also among the early starters and both carded best-of-the-week rounds of 67, Rose taking advantage of just 11 putts on the back nine on the way to a level par finish.

Holmes birdied three in a row from the 12th hole to get to three under par, before falling back with bogeys at 15 and 17.

"I hit the ball really well today," said Holmes, who has won twice on the PGA Tour. "Sixty-eight is a great score. I am glad I got in with that but I also felt I left a few out there."

With three top-10s this year he is also playing his way into Ryder Cup contention. Currently 16th, a good weekend could see him climb into the top nine.

Ryder Cup ambitions

Rose also has Ryder Cup ambitions and admitted his putter saved him as he made four birdies and dropped just one shot - at 18 - despite missing numerous greens.

"The putter was the key to the round," Rose said. "I quite like the tough greens. I like them when they get quick. I like the imagination that are needed with the big curves.

Former Open champion Curtis was also pleased with his putting, commenting: "It was a lot of fun today compared to yesterday when I really struggled with my putting.

"I know I can win another (major). It's all about taking the opportunities I'm given."

The afternoon starters struggled as the day wore on and the greens got firmer.

Phil Mickelson and Sergio Garcia both got into red figures at one stage, only to fall away and finish on three-over-par and two over respectively.

The world number two missed a string of makeable putts, then dropped successive shots on 14 and 15 as his famed short game for once let him down after he missed the greens, while Garcia's putting woes returned with a vengeance on the short 17th as he three-putted from five feet for a double bogey.

Paul Casey also struggled late in his round, the Englishman dropping shots at the last three holes on his way to a 74, although at six over, he is not completely out of it.

Opportunity missed

Open champion Padraig Harrington is a shot better off on five over, but as one of the early starters he will feel an opportunity has been missed after a 74.

The Dubliner is alongside Ian Poulter, who lambasted the course-set up in terms almost as colourful as his trousers after his 71: "It's just like the PGA to slice your throat on the first tee and you have to try to make it round to the 18th without dying," said the Englishman.

But at least those two will be around for the weekend. Lee Westwood - well-fancied to win this week after his third at the US Open - and Colin Montgomerie are heading home.

Westwood - who also criticised the course after his opening 77 on Thursday - shot a 78 and missed the cut by seven shots.

Montgomerie came into this tournament woefully short of form and slumped to a second-round 84 that included 10 bogeys, two double bogeys and no birdies.

The Scot finished on 20-over-par, ahead of only five club professionals and if he cannot improve his form markedly next season, this could even be his final major appearance. It would be an unfortunate sign-off to a distinguished championship career.