After setting the course record during the opening round of the BMW PGA Championship, Thomas Bjorn’s even-par 72 was enough to keep a share of the lead heading into the weekend at Wentworth.
The Dane balanced three bogeys with three birdies, including two across his final four holes, and after opening with a 62 he now sits alongside Shane Lowry at 10 under. The pair remain four shots clear of Rafael Cabrera-Bello and two-time BMW champion Luke Donald, who are tied for third at 6-under 138.
Lowry shot a 64 in the first round but struggled out of the gates Friday, making the turn in 2-over 37. He rallied with four back-nine birdies, including birdies at both the par-5 17th and 18th holes, to draw even with Bjorn. The Irishman won the 2009 Irish Open as an amateur and is in search of his first European Tour victory since the 2012 Portugal Masters.
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Donald’s 5-under 67 was the low round of the day at Wentworth, which has been blanketed by rain for much of the first two days. He’s hardly the only big name still in contention, though, as Henrik Stenson, Rory McIlroy and Masters runner-up Jonas Blixt will all begin the third round tied for fifth, five shots off the lead.
Stenson is looking to end Adam Scott’s reign atop the world rankings after only one week, and a high finish in England will go a long way toward that goal. McIlroy has missed the cut each of the past two years at Wentworth, but he’s in contention after rounds of 68 and 71 as he continues to cope with his recent split from former fiancee Caroline Wozniacki.
With the projected cut at 2-over 146, several notable names were sent packing after just two rounds. The list of early exits includes Brooks Koepka (+4), Jose Maria Olazabal (+4), Ernie Els (+6), Charl Schwartzel (+9) and defending champion Matteo Manassero (+7).