McIlroy is anxiously awaiting the battle for the second round on Bethpage

Rory McIlroy hit double bogeys on the 10th hole, his first and the 12th

Northern Ireland & Rory McIlroy faces a fearful wait to see if he made the cut in the US PGA Championship after a second round 71 on Bethpage.

The 2012 and 2014 champions dropped five shots on his first three holes to slip over to seven, but four birdies on his back nine left him behind with three.

The top 70 and the bindings play over the weekend with the crop at three.

Leader and defending champion Brooks Koepka (seven under) and Tiger Woods (two left) are among the late starters.

Of those who have completed their second round on the Long Island course in the state of New York, triple-big winner Jordan Spieth shot a four-under-66 to set the clubhouse goal to five, still two behind Koepka

Should the 25-year-old prevail with the American PGA, he would only be the sixth golfer to complete a career Grand Slam of all four majors.

World number one Dustin Johnson is a shot farther back on four under after a three-under-67, along with fellow American Daniel Berger, who also shot 66.

Danny Lee of New Zealand, who finished second in second behind Koepka, had a disappointing Friday, scored a four-over-74 and slipped back to two under.

But the English Matt Fitzpatrick had a sparkling round and hit a five-under-65 to go to level par 75 after an opening day.