Updated at 19.25

HE MIGHT HAVE started the day eight shots behind leader Rickie Fowler but an outstanding mid-round surge has put Rory McIlroy back in the thick of things at the Wells Fargo Championship in Charlotte, North Carolina.

The Holywood golfer began the day with a bogey five on the par-four first hole to move back to even-par for the tournament but he hasn’t looked back since, carding birdies at the fourth, fifth, seventh, eighth, 10th, 11th and 14th to move to seven-under-par for the tournament and six-under for the day.

McIlroy is not the only big name making a big move up the leaderboard either with five-time Major winner Phil Mickelson five-under for the day, and six-under for the tournament, after 15 holes.

Mickelson may well end up ruing a disastrous quadruple bogey eight on the 18th hole to finish his round yesterday.

Fowler also bogeyed the first and finds himself one shot behind Justin Rose (-9) and just one clear of McIlroy.

The world number three has an outstanding record at this tournament, having shot a course-record 61 en route to victory at the event last year.

McIlroy has plenty of fond memories at Quail Hollow, having secured his first PGA Tour win here in 2010, and having recorded top-10 finishes in the tournament from 2012-2014, before his seven-stroke win 12 months ago.

The 26-year-old began the tournament with a disappointing 73 before finding some form on Friday, carding a 69 despite a bogey-bogey finish.

However, another 73 yesterday seemed to have put another Wells Fargo title out of his reach.

That may well be the case but if he can make another couple of birdies in his final four holes McIlroy may yet pull off one of his most unlikely victories.

You can keep up to date with the leaderboard here.

The42 is on Snapchat! Tap the button below on your phone to add!