Northern Ireland's Rory McIlroy is up into a tie for third along with a group including England's Simon Khan on five under par, three behind after his second round at the USPGA Championship in Wisconsin.
McIlroy had been three over par after four holes of his first round on Thursday, but he battled back for an opening 71 and then added a 68.
Third at The Open last month and in this event last year, he said: "I'm in a great position and I can just go out and play some good positive golf. I like the position I'm in."
Compatriot Graeme McDowell, the US Open champion, managed only a three over aggregate - 76 and 71 were his rounds - and his hopes of qualifying for the final two rounds were hanging by a thread.
At the start of the day, Darren Clarke was best placed to challenge, three under with five holes of his first round to come.
Instead he had three bogeys and then a double bogey straightaway for a 74, but battled back to level par with a 70.
Meanwhile, Padraig Harrington tries to avoid requiring a Ryder Cup wild card and, after starting with a 75, the Dubliner covered the first six in a superb three under to get back to level par.
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