Tranlate this title Rory McIlroy gives his view on Patrick Reed after BMW PGA withdrawal in spanish

Rory McIlroy had some positive words for Patrick Reed after moving closer to the top of the leaderboard at the BMW PGA Championship.

The Northern Irishman produced a 5-under 67 in the second round at Wentworth and moved to 8-under for the tournament. He is four shots behind leader Ryan Gerard going into the weekend.

McIlroy finished his round with birdies on the final two holes. The 37-year-old felt better with his game than he did on Thursday and said he was able to create more chances.

But another big topic after his round was Reed.

The American started the tournament with a 4-under 68, but his second round went in a very different direction. Reed was 9-over for the day when he withdrew because of a wrist problem.

That also changed the situation in the Race to Dubai, where Reed and McIlroy are fighting near the top.

McIlroy is also trying to win the BMW PGA Championship for a second time, after taking the title at Wentworth in 2014.

McIlroy says he respects Reed

McIlroy and Reed have had several big battles during their careers. Their history did not stop McIlroy from giving the American credit for what he has done this season.

«Obviously Patrick and I have had quite the battles over years, whether it be Ryder Cup, final round in a major,» McIlroy said.

«He’s a great competitor and he’s played great all year.

I respect him for how he’s went about it, and coming through here, he’s put his head down and done the work, and it’s actually been really good to see.»

Reed left LIV Golf earlier this year and has spent a lot of time playing on the DP World Tour. He is trying to improve his position and also earn one of the PGA Tour cards available through the Race to Dubai.

His withdrawal at Wentworth gave McIlroy a chance to reduce the gap in the season-long race.

«Unfortunately he’s pulled out this week, which gives me an opportunity to try to claw back some ground that I lost last week in Ireland.

This weekend is a big weekend for me to pick up a few points and make the race even tighter going into these last few weeks,» he said.

McIlroy was also happy with his second round.

«Playing a bit better today than I did yesterday,» he added.

«I hit a lot more fairways. Felt like I drove the ball better. Gave myself a few more chances.

Didn’t feel like I was scrambling my way around most of the day today.

Solid round and I’m in a good spot heading into the last two days.»

McIlroy and Reed have a long history

The two golfers are not new to fighting against each other.

One of their most remembered matches happened at the 2016 Ryder Cup at Hazeltine. McIlroy and Reed played each other in Sunday singles and produced a match with a lot of birdies and emotion.

Reed won 1-up and helped the United States take the Ryder Cup.

They were also close to each other at the 2018 Masters. Reed started the final round with a three-shot lead over McIlroy, who was playing in the final group with him.

McIlroy reduced the gap early, but the Northern Irishman later struggled and finished tied for fifth. Reed won the tournament by one shot over Rickie Fowler and took his first green jacket.

Their careers then went in different directions when Reed joined LIV Golf in 2022. The 36-year-old decided not to renew his LIV contract in January 2026 and has now focused more on the DP World Tour.

McIlroy has also had a lot to work on this year despite winning the Masters.

After his opening round at Wentworth, the five-time major champion said he had developed some bad swing habits over the previous five or six months.

He believes removing those habits could take a similar amount of time.

«I actually felt like I hit the ball pretty well at The Irish Open last week. I just didn’t putt particularly well,» McIlroy said.

«But I’ve seen some encouraging signs again this week, and at least I know I’m on the right path and heading in the right direction.

It’s taken me five or six months to get into this habit.

It will probably take me the same amount of time to get out of it but I’m committed to doing that.»

McIlroy now has two more rounds at Wentworth to try to move closer to Gerard and also take advantage of Reed’s early exit.