Rose leads while McIlroy looms (From News Shopper)

Rose leads while McIlroy looms

6:02am Saturday 3rd March 2012 in National Sport © Press Association 2013

England's Justin Rose shot another 66 to share the lead at the Honda Classic in Florida - but three birdies in his last five holes brought Rory McIlroy right back into the thick of things.

Rose moved alongside self-confessed journeyman Tom Gillis at eight under par on a day when another American, left-hander Brian Harman, shattered the course record by three with a dazzling 61.

McIlroy, who will take over from Luke Donald at the top of the world rankings if he wins on Sunday, is only one behind thanks to the shots he picked up on the 14th, 15th and 18th. Tiger Woods and Lee Westwood are seven back, however, and Woods had to birdie the last two holes for his 68. He was in danger of missing the cut until then.

Rose actually reached 10 under by turning in 31 and adding further birdies on the third and fifth, but bogeyed the next two. He went over the green at the difficult sixth and then failed to get up and down from sand on the seventh.

"I've not made that many mistakes," he said, staying positive. "It's a course that rewards limiting the mistakes. Keeping them off the card really counts."

McIlroy, delighted with his position after entering the closing stretch five adrift, said: "I felt like I played another really solid round.

"I had a couple of chances on the front nine and didn't take them, but I was just trying to stay as patient as possible. The bogey on the 13th when I had only a wedge in my hand (he hit it into a plugged lie in a bunker) was frustrating, but the finish was nice."

Northern Ireland's 22-year-old US Open champion struck a 179-yard approach to two feet on the 14th, rolled in a 15-footer at the next and then found the green in two on the 556-yard last and two-putted.

Graeme McDowell blasted a 64 and moved from three over to three under. Padraig Harrington was one further back after a 68, but Open champion Darren Clarke missed the cut on eight over after adding only a 75 to his opening 73.

Westwood had only one bogey on his card - it came at the short 17th for the second day running - but managed just two birdies. He and Woods were just outside the top 30.