Rory McIlroy pulls off great recovery shot at PGA Championship (Video)

After putting himself on a tough position, Rory McIlroy offered an early highlight in Friday’s second round of the PGA Championship.

Rory McIlroy had a nondescript first round of the PGA Championship on Thursday, with a one-over par 72 to put him five shots off the lead at the conclusion of play. The two-time winner of the event (2012 and 2014) has a chance to contend and win his first major since 2014.

McIlroy had an early tee time at Quail Hollow on Friday, and he teed off on the par-5 10th hole. His second shot was so far off line he was on the territory of the 11th hole and next to the cart path. Creativity was required to get back on-line and essentially back into play, and McIlroy came through big time.

Not exactly a perfect result, with the ball going across the green and finishing in the fringe, but under the circumstances McIlroy could not have asked for much more. He saved par too, which is quite an accomplishment in itself.

McIlroy posted a solid -1 35 on the first nine of his second round, but three bogeys on the first five holes of his second nine have dropped him to two-over for the day and +3 for the tournament. First-round co-leader Kevin Kisner has moved to the lead by himself at -6 so far in his second round, so McIlroy has lost ground as he winds down his own round.

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No matter where McIlroy goes from here in the 2017 PGA Championship, his recovery shot virtually right out of the gate on Friday will be memorable. He shouldn’t have too much trouble making the cut, but as of now he’ll have to make Saturday his “moving day”  to have any chance to end his three-year major drought.