{
  "id": 8399244,
  "title": "McIlroy on the charge at PGA Championship as Reed withdraws",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/19/mcilroy-on-the-charge-at-pga-championship-as-reed-withdraws",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-09-19T06:18:50.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "New Straits Times",
    "slug": "new-straits-times",
    "url": "https://www.nst.com.my/sports/golf/2026/09/1536042/mcilroy-charge-pga-championship-reed-withdraws"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Virginia Water hosted the thrilling second round of the European Tour's prestigious PGA Championship. Rory McIlroy, a seven-time major champion, fought back from a sluggish first round to sit four strokes off the lead. Ryan Gerard of the United States took the early advantage, posting a strong 65. McIlroy, despite a poor finish to his opening round with three bogeys, showcased his prowess with three birdies in the first five holes of his comeback round. He maintained his birdie streak, making more on the longer par-three holes. Meanwhile, Patrick Reed, nursing an injury, withdrew midway through his second round, leaving McIlroy to capitalize on the opportunity. Gerard's eagle on the 17th hole propelled him to the top of the leaderboard. In a closely contested field, Adam Scott of Australia and Manuel Elvira of Spain shared second place, while Aaron Rai, Aaron Rai, and Ryan Fox of the United States grouped together at nine under.",
  "summary": "VIRGINIA WATER: Rory McIlroy revived his hopes of victory in the European Tour’s flagship PGA Championship with a five-under par second round that left him four strokes off the lead as Ryan Gerard of the United States took the lead.",
  "key_points": [
    "McIlroy recovers from poor first round to sit four strokes off lead",
    "Patrick Reed withdraws midway through second round due to injury",
    "Gerard leads after eagle on 17th hole, Reed atop leaderboard"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}