Friday 20 May 2016 18:15, UK
Tournament host Rory McIlroy is relishing the prospect of a weekend battle with Danny Willett after moving into contention at the Irish Open.
McIlroy sits one stroke off the pace after mixing five birdies with three bogeys on his way to a second-round 70, ending a run of three consecutive missed cuts in the event.
The world No 3 picked up a shot from close range at the 13th and bounced back from a duffed chip at the 17th to card back-to-back gains around the turn, although slipped back by posting bogeys either side of a birdie at the fourth.
A 20-foot putt at the ninth lifted the Northern Irishman to seven under for the week and keeps him well-placed to challenge for a first win of 2016, although McIlroy admits he had chances to post a lower round.
"I just made a few too many mistakes," McIlroy told Sky Sports. "I missed a few more greens today, which was because I missed a few more fairways, so I need to tidy that up.
"I hit a few more positive putts on the front nine, our back nine, but wasn't great with the putter for the first few holes.
"It was a little bit erratic in places, but by making six birdies I feel like I gave myself plenty of chances out there and took care of most of the par-5s.
"I knew I was coming in playing pretty well so I never thought the cut was going to be an issue. I'm excited to be in there for the weekend with a chance to win."
Masters champion Danny Willett followed an opening-round 65 with a one-under 71 to stay top of the leaderboard, although saw Marc Warren move alongside him with a round-of-the-day 66.
"It wasn't bad, a little bit scrappy," Willett said. "It was windy at times and there were a couple of sneakier flags out there as well so you can't come off being joint leader and be too unhappy."
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