Rory McIlroy Lights Up Wentworth With 65 To Lead BMW PGA

May 25, 2018

The four-time major winner is in a commanding position after 36 holes

Rory McIlroy Lights Up Wentworth With 65 To Lead BMW PGA

Rory McIlroy wowed the crowds this morning at Wentworth with a sublime bogey-free 65.

The four-time major winner’s ball striking was imperious and he was putting beautifully to make seven birdies around the West Course for a four stroke lead by the time he finished.

He began the day two strokes back of the lead at five under after a 67 yesterday and quickly took control with birdies at the 4th, 7th and 9th to go out in 32.

He parred 10 and 11 before a run of four birdies at 12, 13, 14 and 15.

McIlroy’s approach to the 14th:

He holed a long putt at the 13th, stiffed it at the uphill par-3 14th and then rolled in a tram-liner on 15 to reach -7 for the day and -12 for the tournament.

The 29-year-old parred the final three holes, once again finishing 5-5 on the two closing par 5s.

“I played really well, to go bogey-free around here, I think I only missed one green, not by a lot,” he said after his round.

“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, like the one on 18 [missed green right] 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.”

McIlroy tees off the 3rd hole in front of huge galleries that grew as the day went on. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)

England’s Sam Horsfield is McIlroy’s closed challenger at the time of writing. Horsfield followed up yesterday’s 68 with a 67 today which included four birdies in five holes on the back nine.

Robert Rock shot 68 to be at -7 after 36 holes along with McIlroy’s playing partner and defending champion Alex Noren.

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