McIlroy storms to front as Tiger lurks

2 Sep 2012, 12:48 pm   -   Source: AAP
Rory McIlroy has moved into a one shot lead after the second round of the US PGA event in Boston. (AAP)

Rory McIlroy has moved into a one shot lead after the second round of the US PGA event in Boston. (AAP)

Rory McIlroy moved into a one shot lead after the second round of the US PGA Tour event in Boston but Tiger Woods is just two shots back.

The US PGA Tour playoffs lived up to their hype on Saturday as world No.1 Rory McIlroy stormed to the lead while Tiger Woods and Louis Oosthuizen were poised to strike.

McIlroy, who recently claimed his second major at the US PGA Championship, fired a second consecutive six-under 65 at TPC Boston to move to 12-under in the second of the four playoff tournaments.

The 23-year-old Northern Irishman was one clear of 2010 British Open champion Oosthuizen (65) and two clear of 14-time major champion Woods (68) heading into the third round.

Ryan Moore (68) joined Woods in a tie for third while 2011 Masters champion Charl Schwartzel (65) was among five players tied fifth at nine-under.

Ultra-consistent Australian John Senden (69) continued his steady form to be five off the pace in a tie for 12th at seven under par.

"I didn't play really well today but I did grind it out in the middle of the round and made enough birdies to kind of hang about," Senden said.

"I felt like I used a lot of energy today so it's important I get fresh for tomorrow."

"I'm going to head to the fitness trailer, do some stretching and do some reps to get the heart rate up a little bit. That's how it works for me to get some energy back."

After a poor week on the greens last week, McIlroy was on fire with the flat stick to lead the field in total putts and strokes gained putting after slotting home six birdies and an eagle.

"I'm very pleased with how I played today, how I played yesterday as well, and I'm in a great position," McIlroy said.

Woods wasn't able to recreate his heroics from round one, but still managed five birdies.

"I'm happy with the way I hit it but I didn't putt very good," Woods said.

"I didn't really make anything. Today was one of those days where I had some good looks, missed them, but didn't feel like I was really rolling it correctly."

All seven Australians made the cut with Greg Chalmers (68) the next best at five-under while Adam Scott (69) snuck inside the top 20 at four-under.

Geoff Ogilvy (-1) all but secured a place in the next round of the playoffs by making the final two rounds but Aaron Baddeley and Jason Day have put themselves under pressure.

Needing to finish inside the top 20 to guarantee a place in the BMW Championship next week the Aussie pair were unable to back up their solid 68s from round one with decent efforts.

Day dropped three shots late in his round to card a two-over 73, sending him back into a tie for 38th at one-under.

Baddeley was a shot worse, posting a three-over 74 to plummet down 36 spots into a tie for 53rd at even par.

Marc Leishman rounds out the Aussie tilt, sitting in a tie for 60th at one-over par.

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