RORY McILROY stumbled after making a strong statement at the beginning of the USPGA Championship. Now, he finds himself playing catch up.

McIlroy's 65th round was supposed to mark the beginning of a victory parade at Southern Hills.

He won the Major on three occasions with a low round of 66 or higher.

This was the story at both the 2011 US Open and three years later, the Open and USPGA.

McIlroy's 2014 USPGA victory was his last Major win, and he rarely looks like the same player today.

He was five shots behind 36-hole leader Will Zalatoris when he shot a disappointing 71 in the second round.

It was designed for Rory mania. It was a calm morning, with the strong winds easing to a gentle breeze. McIlroy's players ate birdies and scores in the mid-60s.

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McIlroy (33), must break the Southern Hills trend if he wants to end the Major drought.

The previous Major winners of the Tulsa course were all in the top two at halftime.

Tiger Woods was the last winner of that category at the 2007 USPGA.

Woods, 46 years old, has won his private fight by making this week's cut despite the pain from the right leg that he broke in a life-threatening crash 15 months ago.

The 15-time Major champion grinned his teeth and added one under par 69 on his opening 74. He booked his ticket for the final 36 holes, just like he did at Augusta.

Justin Thomas was delighted to have shot a second consecutive 67 to take the clubhouse lead at six over par. He finished nearly an hour earlier than McIlroy and Co and is now just three shots away from the top.

For those players who didn't make it to the final pairing, the comfort is that the first two players at Southern Hills are a pair of players who have never won on the PGA Tour.

Zalatoris is already close to selecting a Major to open his winning account. He was the Masters' runner-up last year. He has yet to win his first major, despite showing that he can mix it with elite company.

In round three, he will be paired with Mito Pereira, a well-known Chilean player.

His most notable accomplishment was finishing in a seven-way tie for third at 2020 Olympics. However, he did not claim the bronze medal in m.as play off.

Pereira shot 64 to get into contention. Zalatorius added 65 to his initial 66.

McIlroy must produce that kind of round today in order to chase down that pair, despite the fact they have yet to prove they can do it.