Ryan Gerard hit the front, JJ Spaun was enjoying his time in England, Rory McIlroy was eyeing a big weekend and Alex Fitzpatrick left it late to make the cut.
Here is everything you need to know from day two at Wentworth Club.
Gerard surges ahead
Ryan Gerard produced an eagle-birdie finish to complete a bogey-free 65 and take a two-shot lead ahead of the weekend's action. Gerard earned DP World Tour status by winning last season's Barracuda Championship and finished in a tie for 38th in his debut at this Rolex Series event last season. He has finished a runner-up four times since, including three events in a row as 2025 turned into 2026, and arrived in England at a career-high 21st on the Official World Golf Ranking as he looks to maintain momentum in a truly global schedule. His nearest challengers are Adam Scott and tournament debutant Filippo Celli.
To read the report from the second round, click here.
And here's how he put his fast finish together...
Naturally, the 27-year-old was pleased with how he coped in what was a second day of blustery conditions over the West Course.
Spaun loving BMW PGA bow
Another American who is thriving at Wentworth was JJ Spaun on his debut at the prestigious £9million tournament this week. The 2025 U.S. Open champion missed out on selection for the Presidents Cup and is taking advantage of a rare chance to play in Europe. After he opened his week with a 70 on Thursday, he went four shots better in the second round as he eagled the par-five 18th for a second day running and mixed eight birdies with four bogeys to climb to eight under through two rounds as he, like Gerard, bids to become just the third American winner of the event after Arnold Palmer and Billy Horschel. "I definitely feel like I'm going to plan a little bit more of a global schedule or a European schedule moving forward in the Fall time," he said. "So it's been lovely so far. The community's great. The spectators and fans are great. The boys on this tour are great. The support's awesome. It's been a brilliant time so far."
McIlroy ready for tilt at history as Reed withdraws
Lurking in the chasing pack is none other than Rory McIlroy. A second-round 67 lifted the Northern Irishman to eight under and four back at the halfway point as he bids to claim a record-equalling fifth Rolex Series victory. With Patrick Reed also retiring from the tournament through injury, a big opportunity has presented itself for the World Number Two and 2014 BMW PGA champion to boost his pursuit of a record-equalling eighth Harry Vardon Trophy. "Unfortunately he's pulled out this week, which gives me an opportunity to try to claw back some ground that I lost last week in Ireland," said McIlroy. "This weekend is a big weekend for me to pick up a few points and make the race even tighter going into these last few weeks."
A good day for the Elvira household
Not one but two Elviras are in the hunt to lift silverware. With the sibling duo from Spain separated by nine years in age, they come into this event at different stages in their careers but there is little to separate them on the leaderboard as Manuel posted a 66 to follow an opening 69 to get to nine under, one shot ahead of Nacho after his rounds of 67 and 69. While Nacho won his third DP World Tour title earlier this year in Dubai, Manuel is searching for a first and there is the chance that could come this week. "I see him going out in good form, I'm glad for him," said Nacho. "I know he was nervous. I told him he's playing great and doing all the right things, so just a matter of time."
MacIntyre 'fizzing' after wild ride
They do say a scorecard does not tell half the story. Well, that was certainly the case for Robert MacIntyre after a level par 72 that featured two eagles, a birdie, a double and three bogeys. "Poor round of golf, just pretty simple," the Scot said after keeping himself at four under. "I probably had the unluckiest stretch of few holes and then the luckiest stretch of few holes. Yeah, I'm actually fizzing right now but I have two days to fix it."
Read on here for how his day unfolded.
Fitz chips in to make the cut
After finding the water with his second shot up the last, hope of making the cut appeared over for Alex Fitzpatrick. But from the drop zone, he then did this...
... and he wasn't alone in securing passage through to the weekend in style. Step forward, Tyrrell Hatton.
Cleared for launch
374 yards off the tee with a three wood! Stop it, Rory!
