Rory Stays on Top at Honda Classic


Rory McIlroy continued his fine play in the Honda Classic. The 24-year-old Northern Irishman followed up his opening 7-under 63 with 66 in the $6 million event - the first stop on PGA Tour's "Florida Swing" - at the Champion Course at PGA National in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla.

After recording seven birdies Thursday, McIlroy tacked on six more - against two bogeys - to reach 11-under 129, a stroke ahead of Zimbabwean Brendon de Jonge (64) and three in front of Russell Henley (68).

McIlroy is making a good showing this year. Last year the 2012 Honda Classic champion got unwanted attention after walking off the course halfway through the second round after going 7-over par. After saying his departure was due to tooth pain, he later apologized and made a retraction, saying he was having off-course problems.

He told reporters Friday that his head in a totally better place than a year ago. "It's a different end of the spectrum," McIlroy said of his attitude now versus then. "I wasn't quite comfortable with my golf swing. I was still tinkering with equipment. I just wasn't feeling in control of what I needed to be in control of.

"This year is obviously a lot different. Got off to a good start; I'm confident; I'm playing well. This is the second straight tournament I've opened with a 63," added the Ulsterman, who's looking for his first victory in the States since the BMW Championship last September.

"So if I can keep building on these good starts, then hopefully I can start converting."

Four starts back of the leader are England's Lee Westwood (65) and Scotsman Russell Knox, who matched McIlroy and Australia's John Senden for the low round of the tournament so far, a 63. Senden opened with a 72 and is tied for ninth at 5-under.

Welshman Jamie Donaldson (69) and Americans Ryan Palmer (66) and William McGirt (69) share sixth at 6-under 134.

No. 1-ranked Tiger Woods followed up his opening 71 with a 69, and No. 2 Adam Scott had a 69 to reach 3-under over 36 holes.

The halfway cut was set at even-par 140, with Woods making it right on the number. "It was a grind, no doubt about that," said Woods of his second round. "I'd like to obviously hit it better than I have been. I didn't hit it very good today."

Despite being 11 strokes behind McIlroy, Woods thinks he still has a chance. "It's so bunched," he said. "I'm going to try and get to 4-under or 5-under. If the wind blows, anything can happen."

Among those heading home are multiple major winners Angel Cabrera and Phil Mickelson, who each missed the mark by a stroke.

Also not making the weekend are defending champion Michael Thompson, who posted rounds of 74 and 71, and reigning FedEx Cup champion Henrik Stenson, who had a tough two days at the Champion Course with rounds of 73 and 76.

For all the scores, visit http://www.pgatour.com/content/pgatour/tournaments/the-honda-classic/leaderboard.html.