Rory McIlroy heads back to range after slipping off the pace at BMW Championship

By Press Association Sport Staff

Rory McIlroy was heading straight to the driving range after slipping off the pace during round two of the BMW Championship in St Louis.

The Masters champion began with a fine six-under-par opening round for a share of the lead, but could only improve his total by one shot on Friday with a 69.

“I feel like conditions were pretty similar to yesterday,” McIlroy told the Golf Channel.

“The wind was coming out of a different direction, but still very scorable. The greens are soft, maybe the ball’s got a little bit more run out on the fairways, but you’ll still see guys shooting pretty good scores today.

“I didn’t quite hit it as good as I did yesterday, so probably an afternoon on the range for me.

“I’m proud of how I just hung in there. A lot of good par putts on the back nine, especially. The only bogey I had was with a mistake on the par-five eighth hole, but I made some really good par saves coming in and that sort of kept me in it.”

American JJ Spaun looked set to run away with the second round after he moved to 11 under at the turn.

Three bogeys on the back nine checked his progress but two birdies, including one at the last, left him as clubhouse leader of the early starters on 10 under.

World number one Scottie Scheffler, who was two over after a first-round 72, bogeyed the first hole but recovered well after the turn with five birdies leaving him still in contention at three under.