McIlroy cards four-under-par 67 to grab one shot lead over Day, Furyk at Valhalla

Northern Irish golf ace Rory McIlroy has grabbed the halfway lead at the US PGA after a four-under-par 67 at Valhalla and is nine-under-par after two rounds, one shot clear of Australia's Jason Day (65) and American Jim Furyk (68).

Americans Rickie Fowler (66) and Ryan Palmer (70) and Finn Mikko Ilonen (68) are a shot further back on seven under, one ahead of Phil Mickelson (67). British golf ace Lee Westwood, who was joint leader after day one, is four shots off the lead after a one-over 72.

Former world number one Tiger Woods missed the cut, only his fourth in a major as a pro, after struggling to a second-round 74 for six over overall, The BBC reported.

McIlroy, who has carded 12 successive sub-par scores, said that he did not get off to the best of starts but he righted the ship well, caught fire a little bit round the turn and is really happy with four under par.

The world number one said that he is feeling good about his game, is confident and hitting the ball well for the most part. He added that he is in control of his game and his emotions and will need to do that over the weekend as well.

McIlroy, 25, is hunting his fourth major title and his second in a row having won his first Open Championship at Hoylake last month, the report added.