Rory McIlroy responds after a difficult opening round at the PGA Championship by carding a three-under-par second round at Aronimink Golf Club. Multiple reports say he not only makes the cut but moves back into contention, reducing the deficit to the halfway leaders. Alex Smalley and Maverick McNealy are described as leading the tournament at the halfway stage, with McIlroy closing to within five shots of them. The accounts agree that McIlroy’s second-round score is the key turning point after his “dismal” first-round performance, and that he is now positioned to challenge for a final-round push over the closing stages. Both outlets focus on the same leaderboard context: Smalley and McNealy lead at halfway, while McIlroy has made up ground to return to contention, setting up the remainder of the tournament.