Northern Ireland’s Rory McIlroy (13/2 Outright) will start his third round at the USPGA Championship in joint-third place, three shots behind leader Matt Kuchar.

McIlroy fired a second-round 68 to be among a group of seven players five under at the halfway stage of the tournament, alongside the likes of England’s Simon Khan.

The Ulsterman started his second round of the fog-affected championship at the 10th, and produced a round of five birdies and a solitary bogey at the seventh.

First-round leader Kuchar (4/1 Outright) improved to eight under after a 69 which left him the clubhouse leader, while Nick Watney, also of the USA, shot a 68 to be second in the clubhouse on seven under.

Graeme McDowell looked set to miss the cut as he finished three over.

While the second round will not be until later on Saturday, the cut was still expected to be in the region of one or two over par.

McIlroy was content after his round, which saw him produce an excellent up-and-down for par at the ninth following a superb birdie at the eighth where he fired a superb second shot to 20 feet from an awkward stance in the rough.

“I felt the last two putts gave me a good chance going into the weekend,” said the 21-year-old.

“I already made two double bogeys in first round so I know how brutal the course can be.

“The key is to just keep the mistakes off the card and I was lucky I did that today.

“I think my chances are good, I’m only three behind and I feel as if I’m playing good golf.”

McIlroy’s best previous performance at the championship was last year, when he finished tied for third. At that stage it was his best performance in a major, though he equalled the feat at this year’s Open Championship.