Friday 25 May 2018 19:27, UK
Rory McIlroy chose to focus on his exemplary ball-striking rather than a day of mixed fortunes on the greens after cruising into the halfway lead at the BMW PGA Championship.
McIlroy's long game was close to his very best as he missed only one green in regulation in a bogey-free 65 that set the early clubhouse target at 12 under on the second day at Wentworth, although he allowed himself to feel a little frustrated at not being further than three shots ahead of the field.
The 29-year-old missed five putts from 10-foot range over the first six holes, but birdies at the fourth, seventh and ninth were just reward for his form with his irons before he heated up his putter after the turn.
The 2014 champion reeled off four consecutive birdies from the 12th, including huge putts at 13 and 15 either side of a sublime tee-shot in close at the 14th, but the frustration returned when he closed with a pair of par-fives for the second day running.
But he was happy with his position going into the weekend, although he missed a number of early birdie chances and he feels confident of maintaining his lead through to Sunday evening.
"I played really well, to go bogey-free around here and I think I only missed one green, and not by a lot, it was one of the best rounds of golf I've played this year, ball-striking-wise," he said.
"There's still a couple of loose shots in there, like the one on 18 but overall it was a great round of golf. I had everything sort of firing today and it was nice to take advantage of the opportunities I gave myself.
"I still feel like I'm hitting some loose shots out there but for the most part it's been really good. If I can keep these swing thoughts and keep going in the right direction, hopefully this is the type of golf I'll be able to produce.
"Obviously I have the confidence that I'm playing well and I can go out and try to just 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.
"That's all you ask for is giving yourself a chance every week. I put myself in a good position after two days, and hopefully I'm in a good position after three days. Then it will be nice to get out there hopefully on Sunday in a position where I can try to win a golf tournament and that would give me a huge bit of confidence going into the summer."
