While McIlroy's star continues to rise, the man many are tipping him to usurp as the most dominant golfer in recent years continues to struggle for form and fitness.

Tiger Woods missed the cut in Louisville, Kentucky, for only the fourth time at a major after carding a three-over-par 74 to finish on six-over for the tournament.

The 14-time major winner was five shots out from the cut, which fell at one-over-par, and once again appeared to be troubled by a back injury that forced him out of the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational in Akron, Ohio, last weekend.

While Woods' powers are currently curtailed by injury and poor form, McIlroy is playing some of the best golf of his career as he chases a fourth major win by the age of 25.

The world number one began the day one shot off the lead and starting his round on the back nine, dropped a shot at the 12th hole.

He got back on track with birdies at the 13th and 15th and missed from six feet for another on the 16th after play was suspended at Valhalla due to a passing thunderstorm.

He eagled the 18th, his ninth hole, to go out in 33 before a superb approach to the seventh hole set up another eagle opportunity which he just left short but he finished his round with a flourish by holing a 16-footer at the ninth to end the day at nine-under-par for the tournament.

World number one Rory McIlroy is on a charge as he chases a second consecutive major win at the USPGA Championship at Valhalla Golf Club in Louisville ©Getty Images




"I think it was a job well done," said McIlroy.

"The conditions were very tricky whenever the rain was coming down obviously, and you sort of just had to wait for the moments when there was a break in the weather.

"I would have taken 67 going out this morning."

Three players held the lead at six-under-par overnight but it was only American Ryan Palmer who remained among the leaders.

He shot under-par in his second round as a 70 puts him on seven-under for the tournament, two ahead of England's Lee Westwood, while compatriot Kevin Chappell tumbled down the leader board as he struggled with conditions.

Australian Jason Day shot the best round of the day and leads the chasing pack at Valhalla ©Getty Images




Palmer is joined at seven-under by Rickie Fowler of the United States, after he went round in 66, and Finn Mikko Ilonen, who carded a 68.

They lie one shot behind Australian Jason Day and American veteran Jim Furyk, who lead the chasing pack on McIlroy.

Day registered the best round of the day, playing  the front nine in five under, with three birdies and an eagle on the seventh, and then finishing with back-to-back birdies - after his only bogey at the 15th - for a 65.

Furyk recovered from bogeys at 10 and 12 to sign off with consecutive birdies on the 17th and 18th to put him right in contention.

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