Scottie Scheffler scrambles his way into second, Rory McIlroy sits three shots off the lead
SECOND PLACE: Pic: Harry How/Getty Images
World number one Scottie Scheffler scrambled his way into second place at The Genesis Invitational after an uncharacteristically inconsistent round on day two in San Diego.
The Masters champion hit only five fairways but still managed to card a five-under 67 to move to seven under, one off the lead held by Davis Thompson after a 66.
Starting at the 10th Scheffler carded two birdies to the turn and added another at the par-three third, before holing out from the sand for an eagle three at the 547-yard sixth and despite being wayward off the tee still managed to avoid a bogey.
"I'm definitely going to try to be in the fairway a bit more tomorrow," he said in his post-round interview.
"I felt today was a day when I survived without driving the ball very well and I'm going to need to drive it better over the last couple of days."
Scheffler has Rory McIlroy just two behind him after a round of 67.
The Northern Irishman's five birdies in eight holes from the third propelled him into contention but it was followed by three successive fives - two of which were bogeys.
A brilliant approach into the 15th brought his second birdie of the back nine, an even better wedge to two feet at the penultimate hole moved him back to five under but he could not take advantage of the par-five 18th.
Ryder Cup-winning team-mate Ludvig Aberg also holed a bunker shot for eagle on his way to a round of 66, which left him a shot behind McIlroy.
