Rory McIlroy seized command of the US Open with a five-under par 66 yesterday, firing five birdies and an eagle for the low 36-hole total in tournament history despite a closing double bogey.


Rory McIlroy

The 22-year-old Ulsterman became the first man to reach 13-under par at any stage in US Open history with birdies at the 16th and 17th holes but he found the water with his second shot at the 18th to deny himself even more history.
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McIlroy finished 36 holes at Congressional Country Club on 11-under par 131, reaching the clubhouse with an eight-stroke edge on nearest rival Yang Yong-Eun of South Korea, who had yet to begin his second round.
"I have to keep it going over the next couple of days. I'm halfway there, but there is still a long way to go," McIlroy said.