Leading performance by Mitchell, Lowry's charge, and McIlroy five adrift in rainy Truist event
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In the thick of the action at the Philadelphia Cricket Club, Keith Mitchell, a 33-year-old American golfer, is setting the pace at the 2025 Truist Championship. Having aced a career-best 61 in the first round, Mitchell is now five strokes clear of Rory McIlroy, who's currently tied for fourth place[1][2].
At the end of the second round, McIlroy, the second-ranked golfer, managed to shoot a 67, ending the day at seven under par. Despite this impressive performance, Mitchell remains staunchly in the lead[1][2].
Mitchell's second-round game was a mix of ups and downs: after a bogey at the second hole, he responded with birdies on the next three and a bogey at 11, followed by birdies at 12 and 14. His resilience on the course is evident[1].
Ireland's Shane Lowry, who became the 2019 British Open champion, had an outstanding performance with a 65-stroke round, pulling him within a single shot of Mitchell. Austria's Sepp Straka sits in third place with a 130 score, while a group of Rory McIlroy, South Korean Kim Si-woo, and other prominent American players complete the fourth-place pack on 133 after a 67 round[1].
Lowry, a runner-up to McIlroy at Pebble Beach earlier this year, has had a strong run in this tournament, expressing confidence in his game's progression[3]. "There's a consistency to my whole game that's been very good," he affirmed. "I think I'm just maturing as a golfer, learning to take the rough with the smooth, the good days with the bad."
Heavy afternoon rain caused course workers to soak up water from multiple greens between groups, keeping the course playable. Meanwhile, the tournament had to be moved from its traditional home at Quail Hollow in Charlotte, North Carolina, due to the venue's hosting of the upcoming 107th PGA Championship[1].
McIlroy, the five-time major champion, could count six birdies and three bogeys in his second round, showcasing a significant game. Twice, he managed to answer bogeys with birdies on the subsequent hole, demonstrating his determination during the game[3].
The Masters winner is using the Truist Championship as his final tune-up before the PGA Championship at Quail Hollow, where he has a history of success having won four times[1]. Despite his impressive showing so far, McIlroy admitted there's still room for improvement:
"I've putted nicely, which has been good to see," McIlroy stated. "If I can just iron out the uncharacteristic mistakes I made over the first days and clean up my cards, I'll be in great shape for next week at Quail Hollow."[3]
Sources1. www.golfdigest.com2. www.pga.com3. www.reuters.com
© 2025 AFP
Mitchell's consistent play in the 2025 Truist Championship has places him in the lead, with a career-best 61 in the first round and a resilient second-round performance that kept him ahead of McIlroy. Shane Lowry, the 2019 British Open champion, has moved into second place after an impressive 65-stroke round, just one shot behind Mitchell. Straka, an Austrian golfer, sits in third place with a 130 score. McIlroy, despite a significant game with six birdies and three bogeys in his second round, remains in fourth place, expressing a desire to iron out his mistakes before the PGA Championship at Quail Hollow, his traditional home where he has won four times.
