Rory McIlroy flattened the par-fives on Friday to head into the weekend just a shot back at the Canadian Open.
McIlroy birdied the three long holes on his way to a two-under-par 68, which leaves him on six under overall, a shot off the lead of America's Wyndham Clark, who stumbled late in his round.
McIlroy is tied for second spot with Americans Alex Smalley, Keith Mitchell, Jim Knous along with England's Matt Fitzpatrick - who also struggled on the testing closing stretch, dropping shots at each of the last three holes.
Shane Lowry is also right in the mix. The Offalyman shot a 69 on his second round and sits at four-under-par overall heading into the final two rounds.
"Overall it was a good score," McIlroy said afterwards.
"I scrambled well when I needed to. I didn't really take advantage of how well I hit it off the tee. But overall I felt a couple under was a fair reflection of how the day went."
McIlroy started the day three strokes back but slipped as far as five behind before his late charge injected the day with excitement.
Wyndham Clark, who breezed through a 63 in Thursday's opening round as he, like Matt Fitzpatrick, seeks his first PGA tour victory. He parred his first seven holes before a birdie on eight. It was one of only three birdies he carded on Friday, later bogeying 12, 15, and 16, which allowed the field to close in.
"Overall I played really good. I felt really confident with my game," Clarksaid. "I had some little mishaps coming in, but other than that I played some great golf for 36 holes. If I do that again, I'll have a great chance come Sunday."
World number one and FedExCup leader Scottie Scheffler is three strokes back on four under.
