VIRGINIA WATER, England (AP) Rory McIlroy fought back from double bogey on the 7th hole he eagled the day before to card a 1-under-par 71 in miserable, wet conditions to stay in contention at the BMW PGA Championship on Thursday.
McIlroy's two-round total of 5-under 139 left him tied for second in the clubhouse, a shot behind Rafa Cabrera-Bello of Spain, who scored 73.
McIlroy finished much better than he started, as he eagled the par-five 12th for a second straight day, and birdied three of his last four holes.
''The way the conditions were this morning, being 3-over par after seven wasn't all that bad, and it wasn't disastrous,'' he said.
Jonas Blixt of Sweden was tied with McIlroy after also hitting 71 in his Wentworth debut. The Masters runner-up is eyeing his maiden European Tour victory, especially if the weather remains poor.
''My golf hasn't been too great but I kind of saved myself a couple of times, hitting some really good shots,'' Blixt said.
''I don't think now with the rain settling in that anyone is going to run away with it.
''But I can't remember the last time I played wearing so much clothing. It became really cold out there, and I'm going back to my hotel for a sleep as it was very long day yesterday with the two delays, and then the early tee time today.''
