Wells Fargo Championship: Jason Dufner leads with one, Rory McIlroy five back

wells-fargo-championship-jason-dufner-leads-with-one-rory-mcilroy-five-back.jpg

Dufner posted seven birdies and an eagle in the second round at Quail HollowWells Fargo Championship second round leaderboard-11 J Dufner (US); -10 J Dahmen (USA), M Homa (USA); -6 R McIlroy (NI), P Reed (US); -5 J Rose (Eng), S Power (Ire), J Day (Aus), P Perez (US) Other selected: -4 M Laird (Sco); -2 P Casey (Eng); +5 P Mickelson (US); +7 D Willett (Eng); +8 P Harrington (Ire)

The American Jason Dufner took a one-shot lead over the Wells Fargo Championship when Rory McIlroy threw five shots at drift

World number 230 Dufner, 42, who last of them won his five PGA Tour titles in 2017, cards an eight-under-63 to reach 11 under for the tournament.

McIlroy, twice a winner of the event, dropped three shots in two holes in his 70 but fourth on six under.

Justin Rose is back again after a bogey-free 67, while Martin Laird is four among bogeys at 17 and 18.

Dufner put together his lowest lap on the PGA Tour since the second round at the PGA Championship 2013, his only big win.

In the second round at Quail Hollow on Friday, he struck his putts up to 134 feet and 10 inches.

McIlroy started his round every 10th with a two-putt birdie but with three putt the 14th to put down a shot.

After a 360-yard drive on the 16th, his 150-yard wedge turned back to one foot of the flag for another birdie, but a wandering ride led to a double bogey on the eighth and cost an indifferent chip give him another chance on his last hole.

14 consecutive cuts in the event, Phil Mickelson failed to qualify after making six bogeys and a double in a 76 to finish at five over.

The 48-year-old rode out of boundaries on the seventh and then found the water, resulting in a double bogey seven.