'Really pleased' Rory McIlroy's eagle boost in pursuit of Genesis Invitational leaders Marco Penge and Jacob Bridgeman
Rory McIlroy carded 65 on Friday to sit one shot behind England’s Marco Penge and Jacob Bridgeman of the US at the Genesis Invitational in Los Angeles.
The Northern Irishman picked up three shots either side of the turn, including an eagle on the par-five 11th hole, en route to a total score of 11-under par headed into the weekend.
“No bogeys is always nice...making one bogey through the first 36 holes compared to the big numbers I had last week (at Pebble Beach),” McIlroy told media after his second round. “Tidied everything up, which is good.
"Felt like I held the round together really nicely.
"When we sort of turned back into the wind there 12 through 16, made a couple of really good par saves.
"Took advantage of the par 5s on the back nine...the back nine's playing a little bit more difficult.
"Overall, obviously really pleased with the day and excited for the weekend.”
McIlroy will tee off his third round in California at 7.35pm UK time on Saturday night.
Meanwhile, leaders Penge and Bridgeman both shot seven-under in the second round to hold on to a narrow lead.
Australian veteran Adam Scott had the best performance of the day, picking up two eagles and five birdies to head to the clubhouse on eight under, with a bogey on the final hole being the sole blemish.
Scott sits equal-fourth on nine-under par for the tournament, with the English duo of Matt Fitzpatrick and Tommy Fleetwood two shots further back.
Elsewhere, world number one Scottie Scheffler did just enough to make the cut, his second-round score of 69 enough to finish even par through the first two rounds.