Truist Championship R2 leaderboard: Fleetwood and McIlroy surge at Quail Hollow

England's Tommy Fleetwood is only one stroke adrift of the lead at the halfway stage of the Truist Championship. 

Fleetwood carded his second consecutive round of four-under 67 at Quail Hollow in Charlotte.

The European Ryder Cup star trails surprise 36-hole leader, South Korea's Sungjae Im, by one stroke. 

Im raced out the blocks with a 64 on Thursday and backed it up with a 69 on day two.

Northern Ireland's Rory McIlroy, who made 17 pars in a row on day one before making a birdie on the final hole, moved up the leaderboard with a 67 of his own. 

Matthew Fitzpatrick's younger brother Alex, who earned his PGA Tour card two weeks ago, is tied for third with Justin Thomas. 

"I felt very in control yesterday," Fleetwood said, who mixed five birdies with one bogey.  

"Today didn't feel like I swung it as well. Definitely didn't have my rhythm, got ahead of a few shots. 

"But I didn't hit it in any terrible spots and I felt I scored very well. Those are the positives to take. 

"I've definitely hit enough good shots, but today I didn't quite have it, but still managed to get a good score out of it. I

"I holed out well and did a lot of other things well."

Of Fitzpatrick, Fleetwood said: "He's on a great run of form. I think he's put a lot of great work in. 

"I remember playing back in Europe towards the back end of last year and he was, he had struggled up until that point in the year, and his game was clearly coming back. 

"He had a great finish to the year, he's continued that on. So his work is paying off. 

"I think it's an amazing time for him to be playing well, feel confident, have that work paying off for him with great results. 

"It just shows, you know, like, wherever you are, if you're playing good golf and you're playing to the level you want to play at, you can compete on any given week."

McIlroy said: "I hit my irons better. I hit a lot closer, especially on some of the par-threes. 

"Holed a couple extra putts which always helps. But, yeah, it was a solid day. 

"I wouldn't say I played a lot better than yesterday, but I scored a little bit better, and maybe a little bit more efficient with some things. 

"Overall it was a good day, and it was a good day to get myself back in the hunt and feel like I have a real chance going into the weekend."

The no-cut tournament, with a $20m prize purse, is the sixth signature event of the 2025/2026 PGA Tour schedule. 

Only 72 players are taking part. 

World number one Scottie Scheffler is not playing and is re-charging his batteries before attempting to defend his title at next week's PGA Championship.

The second men's major of the year takes place at the Aronimink Golf Club in Pennsylvania over 14-17 May.