Gerard leads by 2 at Wentworth
after big finish as Rahm, Reed and Fleetwood miss cut
[September 19, 2026]
VIRGINIA WATER, England (AP) Ryan Gerard finished
eagle-birdie to shoot a 7-under 65 on Friday and take a two-stroke
lead after the second round of the BMW PGA Championship, which will
not feature Patrick Reed, Tommy Fleetwood or Jon Rahm over the
weekend.
The No. 21-ranked Gerard moved to 12-under for the week at the
flagship event on the European tour, showing the kind of form that
would serve the U.S. team well at the upcoming Presidents Cup.
The issue for the Americans is that Gerard, who was third at the
Tour Championship last month, wasn't picked by captain Brandt
Snedeker for the 12-man roster.
Gerard was bogey-free Friday he has dropped just one shot all week
and produced a big finish on the back-to-back closing par 5s at
Wentworth after making birdies at Nos. 12 and 13. He rolled in a
20-foot putt for eagle at No. 17 and then reached the green in two
at No. 18 before two-putting for birdie.
Adam Scott (67) and Filippo Cello (66) were among the morning
starters and set the clubhouse target that only Gerard surpassed.
U.S. PGA Championship winner Aaron Rai (69) and Manuel Elvira (66)
were tied for fourth place a further shot back.
At the other end of the scoring in last place of the 138 players
to complete 36 holes was Rahm, whose 78-77 left him on 11 over, 23
shots behind Gerard in what might rank as the worst of the
Spaniard's 228 tournaments as a professional.
Rahms 6-over 78 in the first round on Thursday was his highest
score in a non-major since a 78 in the opening round of the
Andalucia Masters in 2021. A day later, he hit his first shot a
drive at No. 9 into a bunker and went on to make five bogeys and a
double on the way to his 77.
[to top of second column] |
The two-time major champion, who finished tied for
23rd at the Irish Open on Sunday, is one of the biggest stars in LIV
Golf, the breakaway circuit that filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy
protection last week with debts of more than $500 million. Rahm was
among the leading four creditors listed in the filing.
No. 8-ranked Fleetwood missed the cut, too after shooting 74
following an opening 73.
Reed, the leader of the Race to Dubai ranking ahead
of Rory McIlroy, won't be around at the weekend for another reason.
The American was forced to retire with an apparent hand injury
midway through the second round. He was 9-over for his round and 5
over for the tournament when he chose to stop playing and was seen
being driven away from the 10th tee after hitting his drive.
Reed appeared to be flexing his left hand.
He had two sevens on his card in his second round a triple on the
par-4 first hole and a double on the par-5 fourth as well as
another double on No. 8.
McIlroy shot 67 and was in a five-way share of sixth place on 8
under. Also in that group was British Open champion Ryan Fox (68)
and former U.S. Open champion J.J. Spaun (66).
All contents © copyright 2026 Associated Press. All rights reserved
 |
