Sunday 5 March 2017 00:11, UK
Rory McIlroy posted a joint-low round of the day to take a two-shot lead into the weekend at the WGC-Mexico Championship.
The world No 3, who could move top of the world rankings with victory this week, carded a six-under 65 at Chapultepec Golf Club to move two shots ahead of Phil Mickelson, Justin Thomas and England's Ross Fisher.
Beginning the day one shot off the lead, McIlroy three-putted the first after driving the par-four green but rolled in a close-range gain at the next.
McIlroy then followed birdies at the fourth and sixth with another at the ninth to reach the turn in 31, before carding a bogey after failing to get up-and-down from a bunker at the 12th.
The Northern Irishman bounced back by sinking a 12-footer at the next and leapfrogged Fisher by holing out from 152-yards on the 14th fairway for an eagle-two.
McIlroy added another birdie from close range at the 15th but missed from a similar distance at the next, before posting a three-putt bogey on the short 17th and taking two attempts from four feet at the last.
"Overall great," McIlroy said. "I'm in a great position, leading going into the weekend, but I feel like I could have been a few more ahead.
"I tried to approach this week not with low expectations, but just to see how it went, take each day as it came and through the first two days I'm in a good position.
"My body feels good, which is the most important thing I think, and if I can continue to play the way I have I've got a great chance this week."
Overnight joint-leader Fisher briefly held a two-shot lead after three birdies in his first seven holes, but bogeyed his penultimate hole to close a two-under 68 and miss outright second.
Mickelson was forced to replace his caddie Jim "Bones" Mackay early in his round through illness but matched Fisher's 68, while Thomas closed his second round 66 with back-to-back birdies.
Andy Sullivan posted the joint-low score of the day to join world No 1 Dustin Johnson and Daniel Berger three strokes off the pace, with Tyrrell Hatton part of the group a further shot back.
One-time leader Jimmy Walker bogeyed his final two holes to sign for a three-over 74, while defending champion Adam Scott sits tied-68th following a bogey-filled 76.
Watch the WGC-Mexico Championship throughout the weekend live on Sky Sports 4 - your home of golf. Live coverage begins on Saturday from 5pm.
