Rory McIlroy remains a contender for back-to-back major titles at the PGA Championship, having climbed the leaderboard at Aronimink Golf Club. After a challenging opening round of 74, which included four bogeys, he rebounded with a solid, bogey-free 67 on Friday, placing him just five strokes behind the leaders at one over for the tournament.

McIlroy, the current Masters champion, showcased his resilience with three birdies despite tough scoring conditions. He acknowledged that the course setup had made it difficult for players to score, stating, "It has been hard to make birdies out there because obviously the wind the last couple days, but also where they have put these hole locations."

As he assesses the competition, Alex Smalley and Maverick McNealy lead at four under. McIlroy expressed optimism, believing that with calmer conditions and more favorable pin placements, players could still make significant moves on the leaderboard. He emphasized:

• Bunched leaderboards can indicate a less-than-ideal course setup.
• The difficulty of achieving birdies contributes to a close-knit competition.

McIlroy noted that the eight-shot gap between the lead and the cut mark of four over is the smallest in PGA Championship history, highlighting the unusual nature of this year's tournament. He critiqued the overall setup, saying, "I think a bunched leaderboard like this... hasn't really enabled anyone to separate themselves."

The round was further complicated by gusting winds and slow play, leading to frustration for McIlroy. He remarked on the pace, particularly at the par-four 10th, but accepted it as part of the major championship experience. As he heads into the weekend, McIlroy feels poised to challenge for his seventh major title.