* McIlroy opts to play with strapped-up arm
* Two over-par at the turn after triple on 17th
* Dane Hansen providing European challenge to Stricker
By Simon Evans
The Northern Irishman underwent an MRI scan on Thursday which showed he had strained a tendon in his right wrist and said he would wait till the morning before deciding whether to continue at the Atlanta Athletic Club.
McIlroy walked on to the practice range just 25 minutes before his tee time with tight strapping around his wrist and lower arm and a bandage up the length of his forearm.
The 22-year-old's appeal was evident from the six television cameras that followed his every move on the range and from the warm welcome he received from the gallery as he teed off on the 10th tee.
McIlroy drove sweetly down the centre of the fairway as he began his attempt to catch up wioth first round leader Steve Stricker, who has a two-shot advantage over fellow American Jerry Kelly after shooting 63 on Thursday.
There was an early setback to that bid, though, as McIlroy bogeyed his opening hole as he three-putted but a birdie on the 12th was followed by another on the 16th where he sank a 45 foot putt to the delight of his fans.
But the Highland course is well known for bringing players swiftly down to earth and McIlroy's hopes of making a strong push on Friday were dealt a serious blow when he found water on the 17th and three-putted for a triple bogey, leaving him nine strokes behind Stricker.
Europe's main challenge to Stricker came from Dane Anders Hansen who was two under par through 14 holes to move within a shot of Kelly.
D.A. Points had the best front nine of the day with a 32, putting him level with Hansen at three strokes off the lead.
American Brandt Snedeker was handed a two-stroke penalty for being late for his time on the first tee.
Americans J.B. Holmes (illness) and Rocco Mediate (injury) withdrew from the tournament along with injured South African Retief Goosen. (Editing by Ed Osmond; To query or comment on this story email sportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com) Please double click on the newslink: for more XXX stories for more sports stories
* Two over-par at the turn after triple on 17th
* Dane Hansen providing European challenge to Stricker
By Simon Evans
JOHNS CREEK, Georgia, Aug 12 (Reuters) - Rory McIlroy, playing with a bandaged forearm, struggled to two over par at the turn in the second round of the PGA Championship on Friday.
The U.S. Open champion hurt his wrist on the third hole on Thursday and played through pain to finish even-par, leaving his participation in the tournament in doubt. The Northern Irishman underwent an MRI scan on Thursday which showed he had strained a tendon in his right wrist and said he would wait till the morning before deciding whether to continue at the Atlanta Athletic Club.
McIlroy walked on to the practice range just 25 minutes before his tee time with tight strapping around his wrist and lower arm and a bandage up the length of his forearm.
The 22-year-old's appeal was evident from the six television cameras that followed his every move on the range and from the warm welcome he received from the gallery as he teed off on the 10th tee.
McIlroy drove sweetly down the centre of the fairway as he began his attempt to catch up wioth first round leader Steve Stricker, who has a two-shot advantage over fellow American Jerry Kelly after shooting 63 on Thursday.
There was an early setback to that bid, though, as McIlroy bogeyed his opening hole as he three-putted but a birdie on the 12th was followed by another on the 16th where he sank a 45 foot putt to the delight of his fans.
But the Highland course is well known for bringing players swiftly down to earth and McIlroy's hopes of making a strong push on Friday were dealt a serious blow when he found water on the 17th and three-putted for a triple bogey, leaving him nine strokes behind Stricker.
Europe's main challenge to Stricker came from Dane Anders Hansen who was two under par through 14 holes to move within a shot of Kelly.
D.A. Points had the best front nine of the day with a 32, putting him level with Hansen at three strokes off the lead.
American Brandt Snedeker was handed a two-stroke penalty for being late for his time on the first tee.
Americans J.B. Holmes (illness) and Rocco Mediate (injury) withdrew from the tournament along with injured South African Retief Goosen. (Editing by Ed Osmond; To query or comment on this story email sportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com) Please double click on the newslink: for more XXX stories for more sports stories
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