PGA Championship :: Round 2 Re-Cap

Gunning for back to back majors, Rory McIlroy leads the PGA Championship at the halfway stage on nine-under-par after following up his first round 66 with a four-under 67. Not since Padraig Harrington in 2008 has a player won consecutive majors. The two tournaments Harrington won? The Open and the PGA Championship.

The cut fell at two-over and Tiger Woods, along with many other big names were sent packing, including Martin Kaymer, Keegan Bradley and Jordan Spieth.

Colin Montgomerie is still the joint leading Scot after day two at Valhalla. The 51-year-old is tied with Marc Warren on level-par after a one-over-par round of 72.

Phil Mickelson said at the start of the week he was sure he could play his way into the US Ryder Cup team. Currently one place outside automatic qualification, Zach Johnson is the only man standing in Phil’s way. Mickelson is six shots ahead of Johnson on even-par, and with Jason Dufner – one place in front of Johnson in the Ryder Cup race – out of the tournament, things are looking good for the five-time major winner.

Man of the round

Jason Day

The Australian shot a 65 in round two, the lowest score of the day. He carded five birdies and an eagle, with a bogey on the 15th the only blemish on his card. He finished one behind McIlroy on eight-under-par. With seven top ten finishes in majors, could the 2014 PGA Championship be the event where the 26-year-old clinches his first major?

Painful to watch

Tiger Woods

For the just the fourth time in his professional career, Tiger Woods, missed the cut at a major championship. The 14-time major winner – struggling with a back injury – slumped to a round of three-over-par, ending the tournament on six-over, missing the weekend by five shots. It could be the last time we see Woods this season.

Tip of the cap

Hats off to South Africa’s Johan Kok. His PGA Championship may be over, but the club pro went down fighting. After a seven-over-par 78 in round one, he bounced back in round two posting a four-under 67, with an eagle at the last.

Stats of the day

In his last two major victories, Rory McIlroy led after 36 holes, just like today. Also, ten of the last 14 PGA Championship winners have been leading at the halfway point. The signs look good for the Northern Irishman.

Rickie Fowler was all action on the front nine yesterday. The world No.18 had just one par, coming at the second, alongside five birdies and three bogeys. Exciting golf.

Holes 14,15 and 16 caused players all sorts of problems in round two. In total, there were 123 bogeys made 26 double-bogeys made on the stretch. That’s a combined 175-over-par.

PGA Championship Soundbites

Tiger Woods on his back injury

“It was telling me on the range probably wasn’t a good idea, but I’m not exactly a non-stubborn person.”

Interviewer to Henrik Stenson: “When you play in the rain like today, what do you struggle with most?”

“Staying dry”

Tom Watson on Steve Stricker

“Strick has got game. If he should win here, there would be no question that he would be on the team rather than vice captain, no question.”

Oh dear

Stephen Gallacher

As the leading joint leading Scotsman at the start yesterday after going round in one-under-par, the Dubai Desert Classic winner’s PGA Championship is over after a disastrous six-over 77 yesterday. No doubt that will have a negative impact on his Ryder Cup chances.

Things to watch out for in round three

With five of the top ten players coming from America, there could be a charge in round three by the home players. Experienced players such as Jim Furyk, Phil Mickelson, and Steve Stricker sit only a few shots back, while Rickie Fowler and Ryan Palmer are both searching for their first taste of major glory.

Can Rory McIlroy run away with the championship today? The last time he triumphed in this event, he won by a record eight-shots. This time around, he looks to be playing near perfect golf. If he gets off to a good start in round three, we may see something special.

Mikko Illonen has flown under the radar in this year’s PGA Championship. The Finn is only two-shots off the lead heading into round three. With his best finish at a major coming over a decade ago in the 2001 Open Championship, the world No. 54 could surprise a few people and mount a serious challenge for the title.