'Mediocre' Rory McIlroy remains in the mix as leader Max Homa shoots record round in Chicago

Rory McIlroy remains in the mix at the BMW Championship, sitting in a share of fifth place at the half-way stage of the Chicago event.

The four-time major winner could not match the magic of his opening round where he hit five-under at Olympia Fields Country Club, and had to settle for a level par 70 on Friday.

McIlroy sits five shots off leader Max Homa, who posted a course record 62 to sit on ten under heading into the weekend in the penultimate FedEx Cup play-off event.

One under at the turn, following a birdie on the par-four third hole, McIlroy made five straight pars on the back nine before posting his first bogey of the week on the par-five 15th, where his wayward drive was eventually punished.

But only three golfers sit between McIlroy and the leader with Chris Cook in second place on eight under, while Matt Fitzpatrick and Open champion Brian Harman in a tie for third place on seven under, three off the lead.

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McIlroy is in a bunch of five in fifth, including world number one Scottie Scheffler and the inform Rickie Fowler. Justin Rose and Harris English will also start on Saturday in a share of fifth.

It was a disappointing day for Seamus Power, who now looks set to miss next week's season-ending Tour Championship, where the top-30 ranked players compete for the lucrative event.

The Waterford man shot a two-over 72 to sit on six over par, propping up the leaderboard in 49th place following the withdrawal of Hideki Matsuyama.

"(My round was) pretty mediocre," said McIlroy speaking to Sky Sports after his round. "One birdie, one bogey. Gave myself tons of chances.

"I felt like I hit good putts, just hit a lot of edges and the ball just sort of slid by.

"I don't feel like I played too different to how I