Halfway hut at the Wells Fargo Championship: Charging Rory McIlroy cut to 4/1 favourite
![Rory McIlroy on day two of the Wells Fargo Championship](https://www.planetsport.com/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.planetsport.com%2Fassets%2Fimages%2Fplaceholder%2FPlanetSport_650x341.png&w=3840&q=75)
A round-up of the best stats, quotes and social after 36 holes of the 2021 Wells Fargo Championship at Quail Hollow in North Carolina.
Runner-up in 2012 after losing a play-off, McIlroy then shot a third-round 61 on the way to a second victory at Quail Hollow in 2015. Overall, he has two wins, a second, a fourth and three other top 10s at the course.
It was a classic course form v current form debate in the eyes of punters but so far it's the former holding sway.
After a mixed 1-over 72 on day one, the Northern Irishman threw in a 5-under 66 on Friday to surge 68 spots up the leaderboard to tied fifth. He's just two behind the lead held by Matt Wallace, Gary Woodland and Patrick Rodgers.
At the start of the week, the betting was headed by Justin Thomas, Jon Rahm and Bryson DeChambeau.
Paddy Power odds after 36 holes: 4/1 Rory McIlroy, 13/2 Matt Wallace, 15/2 Gary Woodland, 16/1 Abraham Ancer, Patrick Rodgers, 18/1 Carlos Ortiz, 20/1 Patrick Reed, 22/1 Justiin Thomas, Viktor Hovland, Bubba Watson, 25/1 Keith Mitchell, 28/1 Scott Stallings. Also: 100/1 Xander Schauffele, 125/1 Bryson DeChambeau
Stats
1st in SG: Tee To Green
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) May 8, 2021
1st in SG: Approach The Green@McIlroyRory was dialed in on day 2 @WellsFargoGolf. pic.twitter.com/m8zuv0eTTW
Also in McIlroy's favour is the record of halfway leaders. There have been 21 leaders/co-leaders in this event at Quail Hollow and the only one to convert was Tiger Woods in 2007. Bad news for this week's 36-hole pacesetters Wallace, Woodland and Rodgers.
Quotes
Rory McIlroy on his performance so far and comfort level
Matt Wallace on trying to get a first PGA TOUR win
Gary Woodland on sudden improvement after his MC at the Valspar
Patrick Rodgers assessing his second straight 3-under 68
First-round leader Phil Mickelson on following 64 with 75
Abraham Ancer on battling the wind to shoot 70 and finish in T10
Social
THIS close to an eagle hole-out for @JustinThomas34. 😮 pic.twitter.com/nOwpd7vTjm
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) May 7, 2021
Blind shot
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) May 7, 2021
Over trees
Water behind green
It's not supposed to look this easy, @McIlroyRory. 😲 pic.twitter.com/DGtFHUha9n
176 yard punch-out to 2 feet. 👏
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) May 7, 2021
Well-deserved golf claps, @TheLanto61. pic.twitter.com/lOXIhALZqt
Penalty area ➡️ Drop ➡️ Stick it to 3 ft ➡️ Par
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) May 7, 2021
Never doubt @PhilMickelson. pic.twitter.com/Jn4xSIbppv