McIlroy is joint among a group of players on seven-under, alongside Spain’s Alfredo Garcia-Heredia, Denmark’s Thorbjørn Olesen and Daniel Hillier of New Zealand.
The Holywood native was boosted by back-to-back birdies on 13 and 14, and then finished strongly with further birdies on his final two holes to register a bogey-free 66.
The five-time major winner cut a frustrated figure in the first round after his group were given a slow play warning in County Kildare.
But he appeared happier on Friday, with McIlroy five shots behind the leader.
“It was good,” McIlroy told Sky Sports. “I felt like I hit the ball pretty similarly to yesterday, maybe give myself a few more chances with the approach shots.
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“I didn’t make a bogey, which was nice, a couple of nice par saves on the back nines and finished well with a couple of birdies.”
The Northern Irishman added: “I’m really pleased with the day’s work and it keeps me within touching distance going into the weekend.”
Sweden’s Lagergren leads by one stroke from France’s Adrien Saddier, with McIlroy saying: “The two boys are ahead of the pack, but I feel like I’m close enough that if I have a good weekend, I can chase them down.”
Lagergren, meanwhile, said: “I played really well. My putter was very hot; I holed a lot of putts today. I didn’t really have my A-game yesterday. I worked with my coach and obviously found something.
“This course is really tricky. I can’t really dream of shooting 10 under at the K Club.”
Tyrrell Hatton was also a big mover early doors today — six-under for the tournament.
Shane Lowry is tied for 22nd on four under after a 71, while Tom McKibbin is 16th on five-under.
Offaly native Lowry hit an eagle on the 13th hole, although that was followed by back-to-back bogeys before hitting a birdie on 18.
McKibbin signed for a second-round 68 at the K Club, sitting five-under overall.
After shooting 71 yesterday, McKibbin shot a bogey on the second, but five birdies followed — on holes seven, nine, 10, 16 and 17.
Meanwhile, Seamus Power is to miss the weekend. He sat two over after a round of 74 with the cut mark at level par.
Of the other Irish players, Alex Maguire is two under after a second successive 71.
But Robert Moran (+2), Mark Power (+2), Padraig Harrington (+5), Max Kennedy (+5), Conor Purcell (+8) and John Doyle (+9) have all missed the cut.
Other notable players who will miss out on the weekend action include Ryder Cup captain Luke Donald (+4) and five-time Major winner Brooks Koepka (+7).
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Rory McIlroy tied for third at Irish Open after round of 66
RORY MCILROY HAS soared up the leaderboard at the Amgen Irish Open, finishing his second round with a 66 a tie for third.
Sweden’s Joakim Lagergren leads on 12-under after a stunning 62, with France’s Adrien Saddier one shot adrift in second.
McIlroy is joint among a group of players on seven-under, alongside Spain’s Alfredo Garcia-Heredia, Denmark’s Thorbjørn Olesen and Daniel Hillier of New Zealand.
The Holywood native was boosted by back-to-back birdies on 13 and 14, and then finished strongly with further birdies on his final two holes to register a bogey-free 66.
The five-time major winner cut a frustrated figure in the first round after his group were given a slow play warning in County Kildare.
But he appeared happier on Friday, with McIlroy five shots behind the leader.
“It was good,” McIlroy told Sky Sports. “I felt like I hit the ball pretty similarly to yesterday, maybe give myself a few more chances with the approach shots.
“I didn’t make a bogey, which was nice, a couple of nice par saves on the back nines and finished well with a couple of birdies.”
The Northern Irishman added: “I’m really pleased with the day’s work and it keeps me within touching distance going into the weekend.”
Sweden’s Lagergren leads by one stroke from France’s Adrien Saddier, with McIlroy saying: “The two boys are ahead of the pack, but I feel like I’m close enough that if I have a good weekend, I can chase them down.”
Lagergren, meanwhile, said: “I played really well. My putter was very hot; I holed a lot of putts today. I didn’t really have my A-game yesterday. I worked with my coach and obviously found something.
“This course is really tricky. I can’t really dream of shooting 10 under at the K Club.”
Tyrrell Hatton was also a big mover early doors today — six-under for the tournament.
Shane Lowry is tied for 22nd on four under after a 71, while Tom McKibbin is 16th on five-under.
Offaly native Lowry hit an eagle on the 13th hole, although that was followed by back-to-back bogeys before hitting a birdie on 18.
McKibbin signed for a second-round 68 at the K Club, sitting five-under overall.
After shooting 71 yesterday, McKibbin shot a bogey on the second, but five birdies followed — on holes seven, nine, 10, 16 and 17.
Meanwhile, Seamus Power is to miss the weekend. He sat two over after a round of 74 with the cut mark at level par.
Of the other Irish players, Alex Maguire is two under after a second successive 71.
But Robert Moran (+2), Mark Power (+2), Padraig Harrington (+5), Max Kennedy (+5), Conor Purcell (+8) and John Doyle (+9) have all missed the cut.
Other notable players who will miss out on the weekend action include Ryder Cup captain Luke Donald (+4) and five-time Major winner Brooks Koepka (+7).
Additional reporting by AFP
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as it stands Golf Irish Open Rory McIlroy Shane Lowry tom mckibbin