“`html
McIlroy is participating in one of his final tournaments before this month’s Ryder Cup in New York.
Irish Open second-round leaderboard
-12 J Lagergren (Swe); -11 A Saddier (Fra); -7 R McIlroy (NI), A Garcia-Heredia (Spa), D Hillier (NZ), T Olesen (Den)
Selected others: -6 T Hatton (Eng); -5 R Cabrera-Bello (Spa), T McKibbin (NI); -4 S Lowry (Ire); -2 A Maguire (Ire); E P Reed (US); +2 S Power (Ire); +4 L Donald (Eng); +5 P Harrington (Ire); +7 B Koepka (US)
Rory McIlroy carded a bogey-free, six-under 66, propelling himself into contention at the halfway mark of the Irish Open at the K Club.
Seeking his first victory since completing the career Grand Slam at the Masters in April, the world number two concluded his round with four birdies in the final six holes, positioning him in a tie for third, five strokes behind leader Joakim Lagergren of Sweden.
Lagergren delivered a remarkable 62, featuring nine birdies, an eagle, and a single bogey, to secure a one-shot lead over France’s Adrien Saddier.
“I’m very pleased with today’s performance, which keeps me within striking distance heading into the weekend,” McIlroy stated, recalling his Irish Open triumph at the County Kildare venue in 2016.
“While the two leaders have established a slight advantage, I believe I’m close enough to mount a challenge with a strong weekend showing.”
Poulter aims to inspire Walker Cup team – including son Luke
McIlroy wants ‘common sense’ after slow play warning
Following a slow-play warning during a fluctuating 71 on Thursday, McIlroy initiated his Friday round positively, securing two shots in the first four holes.
His patience was subsequently tested as birdie opportunities slipped away during a stretch of eight consecutive pars.
However, the Northern Irishman rebounded with birdies on the 13th, 14th, 17th, and 18th holes, joining Thorbjorn Olesen, Alfredo Garcia-Heredia, and Daniel Hillier at seven under, with England’s Tyrrell Hatton trailing by one stroke.
The 36-year-old could have further closed the gap with a successful 10-foot eagle putt on the par-five 18th after an impressive approach.
“I found my rhythm and executed some excellent shots coming in,” McIlroy added. He is slated to compete in next week’s BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth before heading to the Ryder Cup in New York later this month.
“Around the middle of the back nine, I felt I should have been a few shots better, so I remained patient, focused, hit some good shots, and capitalized on the opportunities.”
While McIlroy captivated the large galleries, Lagergren emerged as the day’s standout performer.
The 33-year-old, whose sole DP World Tour title dates back to 2018, commenced his round with three consecutive birdies after starting on the 10th hole.
Lagergren added three more shots on the par-five 16th and 18th holes and strung together four more birdies within six holes on his inward nine.
Despite a bogey on the par-three eighth, he concluded his round with another birdie to secure the 36-hole lead.
“I simply played exceptionally well out there,” remarked the world number 194.
“My putting was particularly sharp; I holed many putts today, as I did yesterday, although my overall game wasn’t quite at its peak then.”
“[I was] working with my coach yesterday afternoon and obviously found something.”
Shane Lowry elicited excitement from the crowd with an eagle on the 13th, but his round was otherwise inconsistent.
Following a promising three-under 69 on Thursday, Shane Lowry failed to gain further ground despite a spectacular hole-out eagle for a two on the 13th.
That moment was the highlight for the 2019 Open champion, who also recorded three birdies and four bogeys, leaving him eight shots behind the leader.
Lowry, who clinched the Irish Open as an amateur in 2009, trails Northern Ireland’s Tom McKibbin by one shot. McKibbin carded five birdies and a bogey in a 68 to move into the top 20.
Five-time major winner Brooks Koepka, making his debut in the event, missed the cut after a disappointing round of 80.
Ireland’s three-time major champion Padraig Harrington (74) and Europe’s Ryder Cup captain Luke Donald (71) also failed to qualify for the weekend rounds.
Stay up-to-date with live text coverage from the final two rounds of the Irish Open on the BBC Sport website and app.
This video can not be played
Watch: Rory McIlroy reflects on his Masters victory at the Irish Open.
“`