Magnificent Robert MacIntyre extends lead as Rory McIlroy rebounds at BMW Championship
MacIntyre's six-under-par round followed a sterling 62 at Caves Valley Golf Club leaving him at 14-under-par, and halfway home to his third PGA Tour victory after capturing the Canadian and Scottish Opens last year.
The bogey free round sees the Scot extend his lead from three shots to five, with world number one and FedEx Cup leader Scottie Scheffler sitting in second place.
Scheffler made five birdies and no bogeys in his round of 65, capped with a difficult two-putt par from 73 feet on the last hole.
Sweden's Ludvig Aberg and Japan's Hideki Matsuyama are third and fourth, respectively, after they each shot rounds of 64.
Masters champion McIlroy improved by four shots from Round 1 to 2, his 66 lifting him to four under par.
The Northern Irishman had a costly double bogey on the par-three third hole, but would make four birdies and an exquisite eagle on the par-five 17th to climb up the leaderboard.
Shane Lowry sits in a tie for 16th place after a round of one-under-par 69.
The Offaly man mixed three birdies with four bogeys and will be seeking a weekend charge to move into contention ahead of the season finale Tour Championship.
Only the top 30 players in the FedEx Cup standings at the end of this tournament will advance to next week's Tour Championship.
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RTÉ News
8 hours ago
- RTÉ News
Robert MacIntyre four clear of Scottie Scheffler at the BMW Championship; Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry have disappointing rounds
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9 hours ago
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The Irish Sun
16 hours ago
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Rory McIlroy has sparked Ryder Cup buzz after dropping a major hint on a surprise name who could force his way into Luke Donald's team HALL PASS Rory McIlroy hints at shock Ryder Cup pick as European PGA Tour outsider enters the frame for Bethpage Black selection RORY McILROY has dropped a Ryder Cup shock while speaking after his second round at the BMW Championship. The five-time major champ reckons English outsider Harry Hall has 'maybe got a chance' of making Luke Donald's team for the September showdown against USA at Bethpage Black. 2 Rory McIlroy reckons Harry Hall could potentially force his way into Luke Donald's Ryder Cup plans 2 Harry Hall has been in fine form this season on the PGA Tour Advertisement Down ace McIlroy has already qualified for the biennial tournament but hinted at a possible surprise inclusion as he picked out English star Harry Hall. McIlroy fired a superb second-round 66 at the BMW Championship to move to four-under and inside the top 15. But he's just as interested in the leaderboard around him - where European's such as Tommy Fleetwood, Ludvig Aberg and Hall are all showing solid form ahead of the team competition next month. Speaking with the media after his second round at the FedEx Cup Playoff tournament, McIlroy reckons Hall's red-hot form could force Donald into a shock call. Advertisement He said: 'Yeah, it is. It's good. 'It's good to see Bob [McIntyre], Ludvig, Viktor, Tommy, even Harry Hall - that's maybe got a chance to play in the team. Yeah, it bodes well for a few weeks' time.' Hall has been one of Europe's most consistent performers on the PGA Tour this season, making 20 cuts from 23 starts, racking up 13 top-25s and four top-10s. The 27-year-old is still only 19th in the European points list but McIlroy knows that kind of consistency is hard to ignore, especially with Hall's FedEx Cup showing. Advertisement He added: 'Yeah, I played with Harry in his first start as a pro at the Dunhill Links a few years ago. I know him a little bit. 'Really nice player, great rhythm to his golf swing, and he's sort of done it a different way. He went over to UNLV and did it that way. But he's become a very consistent player, so we'll see what happens.' Scottie Scheffler suffers major blow ahead of PGA Tour playoff event after $43 million season earnings are revealed The top six players in the rankings after the Betfred British Masters, hosted by Nick Faldo on Sunday, 24 August, will secure automatic qualification, with three spots already locked in. Captain Luke Donald will then confirm his six wildcard selections for the Ryder Cup during the week beginning Monday, 1 September.
