Three weeks ago, Matthew Baldwin was laughing at himself for mishitting a drive so badly that the ball went between his legs and advanced just one yard in front of the tee markers. On Friday, the No.

“I’m right in the mix,” claimed McIlroy, the world number three, after posting a second round 68 – five birdies and one lone bogey – to reach the midpoint on nine-under-par 135, four shots behind the solo leader.

Matthew Baldwin, the No. 363-ranked journeyman from England, is the second-round leader by two strokes at the BMW PGA Championship and preparing himself for the biggest weekend of his career.

Three weeks ago, Matthew Baldwin was laughing at himself for mishitting a drive so badly that the ball went between his legs and advanced just one yard in front of the tee markers.On Friday, the No. 363-ranked journeyman from England was the second-round clubhouse leader by three strokes at the flagship event on the European tour and preparing himself for the biggest weekend of his career.

Matthew Baldwin was setting an unexpectedly hot pace at the BMW PGA Championship after shooting 6-under 66 to establish a three-stroke clubhouse lead midway through the second round of the European tour’s flagship event on Friday.