Northern Ireland’s Rory McIlroy fought back into contention at the US PGA Championship on Friday, carding a 4-under 66 to climb to five under for the tournament. The four-time major winner sits two strokes behind overnight leaders Will Zalatoris and Xander Schauffele, who each posted 6-under rounds at Aronimink Golf Club in Newtown Square, Pennsylvania.

McIlroy, a former PGA champion, recovered from a disappointing opening round of 72 with a steady back nine, including three birdies in his last five holes. His round was built on strong iron play and clutch putting, particularly on the treacherous greens that have already exposed flaws in many top-ranked players. Only 12 golfers broke par through two rounds at a course that has long been considered a stern test of accuracy and course management.

Aronimink exposes world’s best

The 72-hole layout at Aronimink Golf Club has repeatedly challenged elite fields in major championships, including the 2010 AT&T National and 2018 BMW Championship. This week’s PGA event is no exception, with only a handful of players managing to navigate the tree-lined fairways and undulating greens without major mistakes. Many of the world’s top-ranked golfers struggled with the firm, fast conditions, turning what is typically a par-70 course into a more formidable par-72 challenge.

Among those who faltered were world number two Scottie Scheffler, who limped to a 3-over 73 on Friday, and Jon Rahm, who carded a 2-over 72. Both entered the weekend with realistic chances of winning but now trail by five strokes or more. Even defending champion Justin Thomas, playing in his home state of Alabama, has failed to find rhythm, sitting at even par through two rounds.

McIlroy’s mental resilience on display

McIlroy’s resurgence comes after a frustrating Thursday where he missed the cut at the FedEx Cup Playoffs just one week prior. The 34-year-old admitted after his round that his focus had sharpened after watching leaders struggle to break par. “It’s a tough golf course,” McIlroy said. “You have to be patient and take what it gives you. Today, I felt like I did that for the most part.”

His playing partner, Patrick Cantlay, also fired a 4-under 66 to move into a tie for third at six under, while Max Homa sits at four under after a 67. The thinning field now features a mix of proven champions and rising stars, with several players still within striking distance heading into the weekend.

Weekend stakes rise as weather looms

With Saturday’s third round set to begin early, players will face the added challenge of potential weather disruptions, including possible thunderstorms forecasted for the afternoon. The PGA Championship traditionally plays through weather when necessary, but course conditions may shift dramatically if rain arrives. Leaders will need to manage risk carefully, as one poor hole could swing the momentum entirely.

For McIlroy, a PGA Championship victory would cement his legacy as one of the game’s all-time greats, while a strong weekend showing could restore confidence ahead of the Ryder Cup later this year. The 2023 event at Aronimink Golf Club promises to deliver more drama as the cutline tightens and the pressure intensifies.

What You Need to Know

  • Source: BBC Sport
  • Published: May 16, 2026 at 00:05 UTC
  • Category: Sports
  • Topics: #bbc · #sports · #football · #golf · #ilroy · #northern-ireland

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Curated by GlobalBR News · May 16, 2026

🇧🇷 Resumo em Português

Rory McIlroy volta a sonhar com o título do PGA Championship após um desempenho impressionante em um dos campos mais desafiadores do circuito, o Aronimink Golf Club, nos Estados Unidos. O norte-irlandês, uma das maiores estrelas do golfe mundial, mostrou que ainda tem fôlego para brigar pelo título em uma competição que promete ser acirrada até a última tacada.

O retorno de McIlroy ao topo da disputa é especialmente relevante para os brasileiros, já que o golfe vem ganhando cada vez mais espaço no país, com jogadores como Mito Pereira e Thiago Monteiro se destacando internacionalmente. Além disso, a presença de McIlroy, ídolo global e campeão de quatro majors, atrai a atenção dos torcedores brasileiros que acompanham o esporte, mesmo que indiretamente. O Aronimink, conhecido por seus greens rápidos e fairways estreitos, tem colocado os melhores do mundo à prova, e a capacidade de McIlroy de superar esse desafio reforça sua reputação como um dos maiores jogadores da atualidade.

Com a competição ainda em andamento, a torcida brasileira já pode se preparar para acompanhar os próximos lances decisivos, que prometem definir não apenas o campeão do PGA Championship, mas também o futuro do golfe no cenário global.