Arnold Palmer Invitational: Daniel Berger leads by five as Rory McIlroy rallies in round 2 at Bay Hill

After a tight opening round, Northern Irishman McIlroy will start the third round tied for ninth after improving to four under.

McIlroy stayed even when he reached the back nine but birdied four of the next seven holes to score a 68 and climb the leaderboard.

World number one Scottie Scheffler seemed ready to match the opening round of 70, but the American fell to third place after beating the 18th.

Tommy Fleetwood rallied with three birdies on the back nine to get back to one over par and at the end of the week.

Berger has suffered a series of injuries, including a back problem that sidelined him for 18 months and a broken finger during the BMW Championship in August last year.

He set himself on course for a long-awaited victory – and the £3m top prize – after a clean rally over a back nine that included three birdies to cement his position.

“I actually feel like I played better [today]“The course was a little tougher,” Berger said.

“I’m looking forward to the next couple of days and seeing the challenge they will bring.”