Number 1 McIlroy's Leap "4th Place, 2 Shots Behind"... Im Sungjae Stalls at 19th

Charles Schwab Challenge Day 2: Barner III Leads with 7-Under Surge, DeChambeau and Spieth Tied for 2nd at One Stroke Behind

Rory McIlroy is teeing off on the 11th hole on the second day of the Charles Schwab Challenge. Fort Worth, Texas, USA = Getty Images / Multi V

[Asia Economy Reporter Noh Woo-rae] It is the leap of Rory McIlroy (Northern Ireland), world No. 1.

On the 13th (Korean time), at the Colonial Golf Club in Fort Worth, Texas, USA (par 70, 7,209 yards), continuing the second day of the PGA Tour Charles Schwab Challenge (total prize money $7.5 million), he surged with a 7-under-par round to climb to a tie for 4th place (9-under-par 131 strokes). Harold Varner III leads (11-under-par 129 strokes), Bryson DeChambeau and Jordan Spieth are tied for 2nd (10-under-par 130 strokes), while Justin Thomas, Gary Woodland (both USA), and Brandon Grace (South Africa) are tied for 7th (8-under-par 132 strokes).

McIlroy started from a tie for 39th place, 5 strokes behind, and collected 1 eagle and 6 birdies (1 bogey). He reduced 3 strokes in the front nine with consecutive birdies on holes 13 and 14 and a birdie on hole 17 (par 4). In the back nine, he added an eagle on hole 1 (par 5), a birdie on hole 2 (par 4), and consecutive birdies on holes 6 and 7. The only blemish was a bogey on the final hole 9 (par 4) after his tee shot went into the rough. He powered his game with an average 335.5-yard driving distance and an 83.33% greens in regulation rate.

He is 2 strokes behind the leader, in a position fully capable of a comeback victory. "I created many opportunities with solid play," he said, "and I hope to continue playing well over the remaining two days." Varner III shot 4-under-par to maintain the top of the leaderboard for the second consecutive day. Justin Rose (England), who was co-leader the previous day, slipped to a tie for 7th after shooting 1-under-par. Brooks Koepka is tied for 25th (4-under-par 136 strokes), and Patrick Reed (both USA) is tied for 35th (3-under-par 137 strokes).

From Korea, 'PO Ranking No. 1' Im Sung-jae (22) recorded 4 birdies and 3 bogeys to finish 1-under-par. He is tied for 19th place (5-under-par 135 strokes). An Byeong-hun (29) succeeded in advancing to the final round, tied for 47th (2-under-par 138 strokes). On the other hand, Kang Sung-hoon (33), Kim Si-woo (25), and Lee Kyung-hoon (29, all CJ Logistics) were cut. Jon Rahm (Spain), Dustin Johnson, Phil Mickelson, Ricky Fowler (all USA), and Jason Day (Australia) also failed to advance to the third round.

Im Sung-jae is disappointed after missing a par putt on the 17th hole during the second day of the Charles Schwab Challenge. Fort Worth, Texas, USA = Getty Images / Multibits

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.