McIlroy shoots 65, shares Dunhill Links lead

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ST. ANDREWS, Scotland (AP) -- Rory McIlroy birdied the last two holes on the Old Course at St. Andrews for a 7-under 65 on Friday to take a share of the lead at the halfway stage late in the second round of the Dunhill Links Championship.

The 20-year-old from Northern Ireland drained a 15-foot birdie putt at the "Road Hole" 17th for a three, then drove the green at the famous 357-yard closing hole and got down in two putts from 40 feet. His 65 pulled him level with Richie Ramsay of Scotland and another Northern Ireland player, Michael Hoey, at 11 under.

Ramsay, who only got in the tournament when World No. 4 Paul Casey pulled out last week, shot 66, also on the Old Course. Hoey carded a 66 at Carnoustie. The field of 168 golfers play one round over each of the three courses being used for this championship -- the other is Kingsbarns -- over the first three days before the final round on the Old Course on Sunday, when the winner pockets a check for $800,000 from the $5 million purse.

Another Scot, Alistair Forsyth, shot 64 at Kingsbarns to share second place, one behind McIlroy and Ramsay. He was level with Simon Dyson, Ross McGowan and Mikko Ilonen. Ilonen shot 64 on the Old Course, Dyson 66, while McGowan carded a 68 at Kingsbarns.