bodyType

customContents

entityId

entityUuid

articlePageQuery

filter

article

articleBaseAdvertisingInfoArticle

articleListArticle

articleSeoArticle

hooksArticleAcknowledgementGateOverlayArticle

hooksTrackPageViewArticle

hooksContentInterestArticle

articleLinkingDataContent

hooksAmpRedirectArticle

articleSchemaContent

liveArticle

advertZone

sentiment

contentLock

topics

types

sections

paywallTypes

createdDate

publishedDate

sponsorType

urlAlias

moreOnThisArticles

commentCount

authorLocations

authors

corrections

displaySlideShow

multimediaEmbed

printHeadline

seriesContainer

articleSpeeches

socialHeadline

headline

images

flag

firstTopic

glossary

flattenTypeIds

image

relatedLinks

relatedNewsletters

__typename

sponsor

pdfFiles

seriesReverseOrder

series

disableOffPlatformContent

published

updatedDate

summary

subHeadline

body

keywords

readingTime

customTimezone

liveContents

Agence France-Presse

Rory McIlroy could not keep the bogeys off his card, but the four-time major winner offset that with five birdies to grab a share of the halfway stage lead at the BMW Championship on Friday.
Northern Ireland’s McIlroy toughed out a one-under 69 to tie Patrick Cantlay at the top of the leader board for a one-stroke cushion heading into the final round of the second leg of the PGA Tour’s FedEx Cup playoffs.
McIlroy and Cantlay are at one-under 139, making them the only players under par on the difficult Olympic Fields Country Club course in Illinois.
McIlroy, who won this tournament eight years ago, has carded just one top 30 finish since the Tour restarted, but he can never be counted out in playoff event. McIlroy has two career FedEx Cup titles.

“Pars are good out there,” McIlroy said. “I was able to break par which is awesome. I got myself into a good spot going into the weekend.”
Dustin Johnson birdied his final two holes for a 69 to vault into a tie for third with Japan’s Hideki Matsuyama, who shot a three-over 73 to reach even-par 140. Australia’s Adam Scott, Brendon Todd, Louis Oosthuizen of South Africa, Tony Finau and Billy Horschel are tied for fifth at one-over 141, two strokes back of the leaders.

The Olympia Fields event features a 69-player field with no cut, and the top 30 in the rankings after this event advance to the Tour Championship.
The suburban Chicago layout, which hosted the 2003 US Open, has proved to be one of the toughest challenges on the Tour this year.
McIlroy, who is trying to win this event for the first time since 2012, had three birdies on his front nine and two on the back.

He started quickly with two birdies on his first four holes, including a five-foot birdie putt on the par three 13th hole followed by an eight-foot putt on the par-four 11th.
McIlroy birdied his seventh hole of the round (No 16) and his first hole on the back nine to get to three under. But three bogeys over his final seven holes knocked some of the wind out of his sails.
After some sub-par results of late, McIlroy said he has been making adjustments with his clubs, especially his driver.
Woods, Champ and Finau support Blake-inspired boycotts
“I was just trying to find something that I could get it in play,” he said. “I went to higher loft driver and a different shaft.
“If I can get it in play off the tee, then I can play from there. I wasn’t doing that over the last few weeks.”
Cantlay had four birdies and an eagle on the par-four 11th hole for a two under 68. He made double bogey on No 16 but then closed with a birdie to move into a tie with McIlroy.
Fake golf equipment raids across China result in multiple arrests
“I drove it pretty good actually, and I thought my way around the golf course really well,” said Cantlay. “I got a couple of good breaks, and sometimes that’s what it takes to get up at the top of the leader board.”
Johnson finished up his round with an eight-foot birdie putt on 17 and then a 32 footer on the par-four 18 to get within one stroke of McIlroy and Cantlay.
“I am in a very good position, what with two guys under par it shows you that the golf course is very tough,” said Johnson.


American Tiger Woods birdied No 17 then closed with a 37-foot birdie putt on 18 to salvage something from a disappointing five over 75 to move into a tie for 55th.
The birdie on 17 snapped a string of three straight bogeys for the 15-time major winner and reigning Masters champion.
Defending champion Justin Thomas shot a four-over 74 and is tied for 45th, eight shots back of the leaders.


From ‘flat-out terrible’ to LIV Golf champion, Anthony Kim says his best is yet to come

Anthony Kim completes remarkable comeback story with victory at LIV Golf Adelaide

Chris Gotterup beats Hideki Matsuyama ‌in play-off to claim Phoenix Open title

Japan’s Ryo Hisatsune leads compatriot Hideki Matsuyama at Phoenix Open, Scheffler makes cut

PGA Tour

BMW Championship: Rory McIlroy shares lead with Patrick Cantlay at halfway

Rory McIlroy looks on from the ninth green during the second round of the BMW Championship. Photo: AFP

Aug 28, 2020; Olympia Fields, Illinois, USA; Tiger Woods hits his tee shot on the 7th hole during the second round of the BMW Championship golf tournament at Olympia Fields Country Club - North. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

Rory McIlroy plays his fourth shot on the 5th green during the second round of the BMW Championship on the North Course at Olympia Fields Country Club on Friday, Aug. 28, 2020, in Olympia Fields, Illinois. (Andy Lyons/Getty Images/TNS)

Patrick Cantlay prepares to hit on the 16th tee during the second round of the BMW Championship golf tournament, Friday, Aug. 28, 2020, at Olympia Fields Country Club in Olympia Fields, Ill. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)

BMW Championship: Tiger Woods, Cameron Champ and Tony Finau support Blake-inspired boycotts

The shoes worn by Cameron Champ of the United States read ‘Black Lives Matter’ during the first round of the BMW Championship. Photo: AFP

Dustin Johnson eyes long spell at the summit after blitzing the field in Boston to go top of rankings

Dustin Johnson blitzed the field at TPC Boston to win the Northern Trust Open. Photo: AP

PGA Championship: Collin Morikawa claims first major title at familiar Harding Park

Collin Morikawa reacts as the top of the Wanamaker Trophy falls after winning the PGA Championship. Photo: AP

PGA Championship: Dustin Johnson emerges from a pack to lead after round three

Dustin Johnson heads the field of the PGA Championship after three rounds. Photo: AP

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - AUGUST 08: Dustin Johnson of the United States lines up a putt on the 12th hole during the third round of the 2020 PGA Championship at TPC Harding Park on August 08, 2020 in San Francisco, California. Harry How/Getty Images/AFP == FOR NEWSPAPERS, INTERNET, TELCOS & TELEVISION USE ONLY ==

Brooks Koepka lines up a putt on the 13th hole during the third round of the PGA Championship golf tournament at TPC Harding Park Saturday, Aug. 8, 2020, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

PGA Championship: Jason Day grabs clubhouse lead, Koepka one back at Harding Park

Australian Jason Day got off to a blistering start at the PGA Championship. Photo: EPA

Sport

Golf


Joint leaders are only two players under par at halfway stage at unforgiving Olympia Fields, with Tiger Woods back in 55th
‘Pars are good out there,’ Northern Irish star says, ‘I was able to break par which is awesome’



Joint leaders Rory McIroy and Patrick Cantlay are only two players under par at halfway stage at unforgiving Olympia Fields


Tiger Woods

US Open (golf)