• Memorial Tournament, Round Two

McIlroy stalls as Donald surges

ESPN staff
June 3, 2011
Rory McIlroy stood still on day two, having ripped the course apart on Thursday © Getty Images
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Rory McIlroy stalled on the second day of the Memorial Tournament, carding a level-par 72 that allowed Steve Stricker to power ahead and claim the overall lead.

Overnight leader McIlroy, who was tied for tenth at last year's tournament, only hit eight fairways and 12 greens in a tumultuous round that featured six birdies, four bogeys and a double-bogey.

"I felt as if I played good enough to shoot something in the 60s but I just made too many mistakes out there," McIlroy said. "I made two bogeys on the front nine from the middle of the fairway with a 9-iron and a sand wedge in my hand. You just can't do that sort of stuff. And then 14 was playing tough today with that pin position, but to make double there was quite disappointing.

"But you know, I was happy with how I handled everything because I did make mistakes, but it seemed like every time I made a mistake I came back with a birdie or came back to just sort of rectify it. I feel like I'm playing okay, just need to limit the mistakes going into the weekend."

McIlroy is part of a five-strong group tied for second at six-under, three strokes behind Ryder Cup star Stricker, who found a hole-in-one at the eighth on his way to a 67.

World No. 1 Luke Donald was immaculate from the tee, hitting 89% of his fairways, as he fired a 69 to take him to five-under - but last year's winner Justin Rose will not be around for the weekend after reaching two-over through 36 holes.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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