Golf:Rory McIlroy carded three birdies in the closing five holes for a second round of 67 that left him just one shot off the clubhouse lead at The Honda Classic in Florida, tonight. For the second time in a week, he knows an outright win will see him move to number one in the world and he has once again positioned himself for an assault on top spot.

On seven under at Palm Beach Gardens, the world's number two trails Justin Rose (66) and Tom Gillis (64) by the slimmest of margins after a birdie at the third and a brilliant recovery from a bogey at the 13th.

“I felt like a played another really solid round of golf out there,” said the Holywood golfer. “I had a couple of chances on the front nine to go to two or three under but didn’t take them.”

He added: “To birdie three of the last give holes is nice.”

Earlier, Graeme McDowell made great strides in getting himself back into contention when equalling the course record he shared with others before it was smashed by American Brian Harman.

The 25-year-old Harman began yesterday with a 73 but was in inspired form from the off today when reaching the turn in 29, thanks to four birdies and an eagle at the third. He birdied the 11th before his lone bogey of the day at 12, but bounced back with three birdies in a row from 14 for a 61 and a total of six under.

McDowell carded an eight-birdie, two-bogey, 64 that moved him from three over to three under.

It left the Portrush golfer five adrift of American Gillis, who was later joined by Rose.

Pádraig Harrington also made progress when carding a 68 to move to two-under-par, but Darren Clarke will miss the weekend’s play after a 75 saw him slump back to eight over.

Tiger Woods and Lee Westwood both remained deep in the pack midway through, after a 68 and 69, respectively, moved them to one under.

Two late birdies almost certainly saved Woods from the cut. After he pulled his tee shot into the water on his way to a double bogey on the short fifth - his 14th - he dropped to 71st place on his first appearance at the event since he was a 17-year-old amateur.

Only those in the top 70 at the end of the second round progress to the last 36 holes, and Woods made sure he is likely to be among them as he hit a 138-yard approach to six feet on the eighth and followed that birdie putt with an 11-footer on the next to move up to joint 32nd.