McIlroy on the charge at PGA Championship as Reed withdraws

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.

McIlroy had a poor finish to his first round at the Wentworth course, southwest of London, with three bogeys in his closing six holes.

But it was a different story on Friday for the Northern Irishman, one of just six men golfers to have won all four of golf's major titles.

McIlroy, the reigning US Masters champion, made three birdies in his opening five holes.

The 37-year-old McIlroy is trying to reel in the injured Patrick Reed to win a record-equalling eighth Race to Dubai title -- the competition which crowns the best player on the European Tour.