Rory McIlroy heated up on the back nine on Friday at Quail Hollow to move into contention at the Truist Championship, his four-under 67 seeing him pull within four shots of leader Sungjae Im.
Playing his first tournament since winning The Masters for a second year running, McIlroy was one under and eight shots back when he made the turn, before back-to-back birdies at the 10th and 11th got him rolling.
McIlroy added further birdies at 13, 15 and 16, though he'd end his round with a bogey as his par putt on 18 lipped out after he'd found a greenside bunker.
"It was a good day to get myself back in the hunt, and feel like I have a real chance going into the weekend," McIlroy said. "I started to make some good swings, especially with the irons."
McIlroy isn't the only big name in contention. Tommy Fleetwood shot 67 for the second straight day to trail leader Im by one shot.
Justin Thomas, who won the PGA Championship at Quail Hollow in 2017, is two back, along with PGA Tour newcomer Alex Fitzpatrick - Matt Fitzpatrick's brother - who continues his bright start since earning his tour card after their victory at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans.
Rickie Fowler, meanwhile, vaulted into the mix with the day's low round, an eight-under 63, which included nine birdies. He, like McIlroy, is four shots off the pace at five under.
Cameron Young, a two-time winner on the PGA Tour this year, shot 70 and is five strokes back.
For Im, the South Korean followed an opening seven-under 64 with a 69 as he looks for his first tour win since 2021 in Las Vegas.
"I know this course very well, so I'm taking advantage of that," Im said. "And then the scrambling, because of the play with the Presidents Cup, I know where to miss the greens, I'm very familiar with this golf course. But I didn't putt very well today, but I'm happy with where I'm at."
Chandler Blanchet had the shot of the day, a hole-in-one on the par-three 17th. It was the fourth ace at 17 in tournament history and the first since Mark Hubbard in 2023.
Watch the Truist Championship throughout the week live on Your Site. Coverage of round three begins at 5pm, Saturday, on Your Site Golf. or .
