World number one Rory McIlroy kept his word as he moved within one stroke of the early clubhouse lead in the second round of the €6.2 million Wells Fargo Championship on Friday.
The Northern Irishman said after his opening 70 that the Quail Hollow course was “there to be had” and he could hardly wait for his morning tee time.
McIlroy did not quite plunder the course in the manner he wanted, but five birdies in a flawless five-under-par 67 were enough to lift him into contention.
Former world number one amateur Patrick Rodgers (68), playing on a sponsor exemption, and fellow American Martin Flores (67) led in the clubhouse on eight-under 136, while overnight leader Robert Streb had moved to 11 under after 13 holes with three birdies in four holes on his front nine and a two at the par-three 13th.
If McIlroy’s recent golf has been unspectacular, as many have said, he set out to change that in his second round, stating his intentions early with a birdie at the 10th, his first hole.
A poor pitch at the par five looked to have left him too much to do on the green but he rattled home from 30 feet – further proof that the work he did on his putting with Dave Stockton in the last few days is paying off.
It was increasingly looking like the swashbuckling, exciting McIlroy seen on so many occasions last season as another huge drive on the 11th set up a birdie chance. His putt would lip out, however.
But it wouldn’t be long before another birdie was marked on the card – that coming on the par-three 13th after a bullet tee shot nestled 10 feet from the hole. He wouldn’t miss this time.
When his drive at the 14th ran through the green 345 yards away minds were beginning to wander towards the possibility of McIlroy breaking his own course record of 62, set in the final round when winning the event in 2010.
However a sloppy chip left him with too much to do for birdie and an excellent chance of going three under par after five holes was squandered.
That missed opportunity perhaps played a part in McIlroy’s deceleration as he only managed one birdie in the next eight holes.
That trend was broken with a birdie at the fifth, his 14th, before another typically glorious drive was only stopped from crawling onto the green at the par-four eighth by the front bunker.
From there a controlled splash shot to four feet was enough to claim another birdie before a par at the ninth saw him sign for a 67.
McIlroy said good driving had been the key to his score, but lamented some mediocre iron play that prevented him from piling up more birdies.
“I really found a good groove with the driver,” the four-times Major champion told reporters. “My iron play wasn’t as sharp as it could have been, but a good score puts me right up there for the weekend.
“Mentally I feel very sharp. I’m not putting myself under that much stress of having to save pars or anything.”
McIlroy, 26, observed how much he has changed as a golfer since his maiden PGA Tour victory at the North Carolina course five years ago.
“Everything has changed,” he said. “I feel I’m a much better player. My stature is much higher. When I’m on the leaderboard, it carries a bit more weight.
“I’m much better prepared and equipped to be in contention week-in and week-out, more grounded and mentally much better as well.”
Pádraig Harrington was on course to miss the cut after making five bogeys in his first 13 holes to move out to three over. The cut was likely to fall on level par.
