Cognizant Classic: Rory McIlroy in contention, Bud Corey leading at midway stage

Northern Ireland’s Rory McIlroy is three shots behind American leader Bud Corey at the halfway stage of the Cognizant Classic in Florida.

At PGA National, the 33-year-old shot a bogey-free 65 to finish at 11 under.

McIlroy, who is ranked second in the world, shot a 4-under 67 for the second consecutive year to reach 8 under.

America’s Austin Eckrot and South Africa’s Garrick Higgo are on 10 under, while British David Skins and Ireland’s Shane Rowley join McIlroy on 8 under.

Belgium’s Thomas Detry made a six-putt to push himself up the leaderboard, despite coming within 6 feet of his second shot on the par-4 sixth hole.

In the end, he left the green with a quadruple-bogey 8 and shot an 80 to fall to 11 over.

Ten players are scheduled to complete the second round on Saturday after play was suspended due to darkness in Palm Beach Gardens.

Corey is playing on a medical exemption after suffering six broken ribs, a collapsed right lung and a fractured left leg in a 2018 accident.

He returned to play, but suffered complications at the end of 2020 that required repeat surgery.

Corey returned to the fledgling Korn Ferry Tour in January and has two top-35 finishes before making his return to the PGA Tour last month at the Phoenix Open, where he finished 65th.

“There were many times when I thought my career was over,” Corey said.

“It’s great to be back here and play well. It’s even more gratifying for me to keep going after it and not stop trying.”

“My expectation was to go out there and compete, and I felt like my game was in a good position. Saying it and doing it are two different things.”