Golf

Rory McIlroy hits the front as he eyes world number one slot

A second round 65 gave Rory McIlroy a two-shot lead at the halfway stage of the WGC-Mexico Championship
A second round 65 gave Rory McIlroy a two-shot lead at the halfway stage of the WGC-Mexico Championship A second round 65 gave Rory McIlroy a two-shot lead at the halfway stage of the WGC-Mexico Championship

RORY McIlroy hit the front on day two of the WGC-Mexico Championship with a sparking six-under 65 to take a two-shot lead at the halfway stage.

The Holywood man, playing his first competitive event in seven weeks, will go back to the top of the ranking list if he wins and current world number one Dustin Johnson finishes joint fourth or worse, though Johnson wasn't looking like giving it up without a fight as he carded a five-under 66 to move into a tie for fourth on six-under par, three shots behind McIlroy.

It could have been even better for McIlroy as missed birdie putts from six-feet on 16 and three-and-a-half feet on the last blighted what could have been a special day.

Highlight of his round, though, was holing a 152-yard approach for eagle at 14 which saw him leapfrog Ross Fisher at the top of the leaderboard.

That followed four birdies on a flawless front nine and another at the par three 13th, which immediately repaired the damage of his only bogey of the day at 12.

Fisher's late bogey at the eighth (his 17th) gave McIlroy a two-shot lead, with Phil Mickelson already in the clubhouse on seven-under to share second with the Englishman.

Alongside Johnson in a tie for fourth on six-under were Andy Sullivan, who matched McIlroy's 65; Daniel Berger (66), Martin Kaymer (two holes to play) and Justin Thomas (one to play)

Five-time major winner Phil Mickelson showed few ill-effects after being forced to change his caddie.

Mickelson's long-time caddie, Jim 'Bones' Mackay, lasted just three holes of Friday's second round before being forced to leave the course due to a stomach virus which has affected several players in Mexico City.

Fortunately for Mickelson, his brother Tim had been alerted to the problem and was on hand to take over on the bag as his sibling remained in contention for a third World Golf Championship title with a three-under round of 68 to add to his opening 67.