Rory McIlroy has found his rhythm at Quail Hollow, firing a 4-under 67 on Friday to climb within four shots of leader Sungjae Im at the Truist Championship.
The world No. 2 heated up on the back nine in his first tournament since winning his second Masters in April. After making the turn at 1-under and eight shots off the lead, McIlroy caught fire with birdies at 10 and 11, feeding off the energy from a Charlotte crowd that’s watched him win here four times previously.
His approach shots kept getting better as the round progressed, leading to three more birdies at 13, 15 and 16. Despite lipping out a par putt on 18 after finding a greenside bunker, McIlroy posted a 32 on the back nine.
“It was a good day to get myself back in the hunt, and feel like I have a real chance going into the weekend,” McIlroy said.
At one point, McIlroy hit 14 straight greens in regulation — a personal course record at Quail Hollow.
“I started to make some good swings, especially with the irons,” he said. “I’ve played one tournament in seven weeks, so I think just getting the reps under my belt a little bit and getting a scorecard in my hand. I feel like your patterns on the golf course are always a little bit different than your patterns on the range, or it is for me anyway.”
Im leads the way at 9-under 133 after following his opening 64 with a 69. The South Korean has battled a wrist injury this season with just one top-40 finish, but he’s now healthy and looking for his first tour win since 2021.
“I know this course very well, so I’m taking advantage of that,” Im said. “And then the scrambling, because of the play with the Presidents Cup, I know where to miss the greens, I’m very familiar with this golf course. But I didn’t putt very well today, but I’m happy with where I’m at.”
Tommy Fleetwood sits one shot behind Im after posting his second straight 67.
“It’s just nice to even get a couple of days where you have something to show for your work, I guess,” said Fleetwood, who will play in Saturday’s final pairing with Im. “Just a nice reminder that it will come good at some point if you keep doing the right things.”
Justin Thomas and PGA Tour newcomer Alex Fitzpatrick (brother of Matt Fitzpatrick) are two shots back, while Rickie Fowler vaulted into contention with the day’s low round of 8-under 63 that included nine birdies.
Thomas, who won the 2017 PGA Championship at Quail Hollow, said this is the best he’s felt physically since having surgery for a herniated disk in his lower back last November.
“I felt like I’m close,” Thomas said. “I’ve really been pleased the last couple weeks.”
Cameron Young, a two-time winner on the PGA Tour this year, sits five shots back after a 70.
The shot of the day belonged to Chandler Blanchet, who aced the par-3 17th hole. It was the fourth hole-in-one on No. 17 in tournament history and the first since Mark Hubbard in 2023.
