Lowry slips late on but still right in mix at PGA Championship

Shane Lowry and Rory McIlroy head into the weekend of the 105th PGA Championship tied for 10th place at Oak Hill Country Club.

Both men lie on even-par overall, five behind the leading trio of Scottie Scheffler, Corey Conners and Viktor Hovland. But, while McIlroy might feel that's as much as he could have asked for as he again looked slightly shorn of confidence over the two days, Lowry will feel he should be a shot or two closer.

Starting his day three-over-par after an opening 73, the Offalyman was magic on Friday afternoon and reached two-under-par standing on the 17th tee after a fabulous run of six birdies in eight holes.

However, a pair of closing bogeys on the difficult par-four 17th and 18th saw Lowry undo some of his good work. But he remains right in contention for a second Major title, having so memorably won the 2019 Open Championship on home soil at Royal Portrush.

McIlroy, for his part, showed admirable grit to get it around in one-under-par for the day, adding a 69 to his opening 71 and matching Lowry's overall total.

Afterwards, the Holywood star said: "I wouldn't say it all came together but I held it together well. Like yesterday, it was erratic of the tee. I rode my luck a little bit and finished really strongly. It was nice to get it in under par. As badly as I feel like I've played, to be only five shots off the lead is a bonus.

"I need to be patient the way I'm hitting it off the tee," McIlroy said. "I stayed really patient and I think it was rewarded with a couple of breaks and birdies towards the end.

"I think with how terribly I've felt over the ball, the fact I am only five back... I'm not saying it could be up there with one of my best performances but when I holed that (birdie) putt on the last I