Gerard Leads BMW PGA
Ryan Gerard seizes the BMW PGA lead as Rory McIlroy climbs contention.
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Key Points
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Ryan Gerard seized the lead with an eagle from about 20 feet on the 17th hole before closing with a birdie on the 18th for his 65.
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McIlroy said Reed’s withdrawal gives him “an opportunity to try to claw back some ground that I lost last week in Ireland,” adding that the weekend was important for tightening the Race to Dubai.
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The rules dispute on McIlroy’s opening round centered on a local rule prohibiting free relief from the boundary fencing on the 14th hole, including its supports and brackets. A rules official ultimately judged that McIlroy’s unusual left-handed stance, with a foot on the cart path, was a reasonable way to play the ball and allowed him to receive relief from the path.
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Before the tournament began, McIlroy shot an unofficial course-record 60 in Wednesday’s pro-am at Wentworth, then opened the championship with five birdies in his first nine holes before finishing with a 69.
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Shane Lowry’s 3-under second round included a late rally: after bogeys on the 13th and 14th holes stalled him, he birdied the 17th and 18th to finish at 4 under for the tournament.
Ryan Gerard seized the outright lead at the 2026 BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth Club with a second-round 65, reaching 12 under par. Mirror reported that Gerard carded an eagle from about 20 feet on the 17th hole before closing with a birdie on the 18th. Adam Scott and Filippo Celli trailed by two shots at 10 under.
Rory McIlroy climbed into contention with a five-under 67 on Friday, reaching eight under par and tying for sixth place, four shots behind Gerard. BBC noted that McIlroy made three early birdies and finished strong with birdies on the 17th and 18th holes despite two bogeys. Patrick Reed's withdrawal from the tournament gives McIlroy a crucial opportunity to gain ground in the Race to Dubai.
McIlroy's Pro-Am Record and Rules Drama
McIlroy shot an unofficial course-record 60 in Wednesday's pro-am, then opened the championship with five birdies in his first nine holes for a 69. Golf Digest reported that his opening round included a controversial rules situation on the 14th hole involving boundary fencing. A DP World Tour rules official ultimately judged that McIlroy's unusual left-handed stance, with a foot on the cart path, was a reasonable way to play the ball and allowed him relief from the path.
Reed's Injury Opens Door for McIlroy
Patrick Reed withdrew after nine holes on Friday with a hand injury, removing a major competitor from the Race to Dubai race. McIlroy said Reed's withdrawal gives him "an opportunity to try to claw back some ground that I lost last week in Ireland." Golf Monthly noted that McIlroy called the weekend "a big weekend" to make up ground in the standings.
Strong Finishes by Lowry and Spaun
Shane Lowry made the cut at four under with a second-round 69 that included late birdies on the 17th and 18th holes. JJ Spaun, the 2025 U.S. Open champion making his Wentworth debut, tied for sixth at eight under. Meanwhile, major champions Jon Rahm and Tommy Fleetwood missed the 36-hole cut entirely, finishing at plus-11 and struggling with inconsistent play.
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