Rory McIlroy ready to chase down leaders after second-round charge at Irish Open

Rory McIlroy moved into contention and almost produced a stunning finish as Joakim Lagergren held the second-round lead at the Amgen Irish Open.

McIlroy, who won the event when it was held at the same venue in 2016, fired a second-round 66 to reach seven under par – five behind Lagergren, who at 12 under was one ahead of France’s Adrien Saddier.

The world number two had six birdies on a blemish-free card, though the last was almost an albatross as his approach to the par-five 18th pitched two feet short of the hole before spinning back to leave an eight-foot eagle putt which he missed.

McIlroy said: “I couldn’t believe how far it came back. It looked like I nearly flew it into the hole.

Rory McIlroy nearly pitches it in the hole for albatross