Rickie Fowler takes the lead at Honda Classic

Rickie Fowler leads at the halfway point, shooting another 66 (8-under for two rounds) on Friday.

As well as his two on the par-four second, the Spaniard, 36, added four birdies and a bogey to sit alongside American Michael Thompson in Florida.

“It just seemed like when I got on the green I made it, or if I didn’t make it, it was close to going in”, said McNeill.

The Californian’s sizzling early season form shows no signs of abating as he continues to push the narrative of the “Big Three” becoming the “Big Four” in world golf.

The first two days of the Honda Classic haven’t been too shabby, either. “I’m so pleased with how I’ve managed my game around the golf course”. Sergio Garcia was another shot behind after a 69. Adam Scott shot 65 to move up to fourth at 135.

There was a tie for third behind Garcia and Thompson between Rickie Fowler and William McGirt, both at 4-under 66.

“I was just happy to shoot under par out there, it’s so tough”.

Only 19 players remained under par going into the weekend.

McIlroy endured a turbulent start to his campaign as he made two birdies and three bogeys on the front nine.

Walker got into the last group with the best finish of the day.

Like Garcia, Fowler parred the next seven holes before closing with a solid birdie at 18 to cap a faultless 66, while Lowry delighted the Floridian hoards with his grandstand finish – rolling in an 18-foot birdie putt at 17 before hitting a sublime 265-yard three-iron to three feet at the last to set up an eagle for a 67.

Fowler started at the 10th and safely negotiated his first six holes in par before holing from nine feet for birdie at the tough 16th, and he avoided his first bogey of the event at the first with a delightful pitch to three feet after a wayward drive left him unable to hit the green in two.

“It’s one of these golf courses that if you’re slightly off, it can really magnify your misses a little bit, and it can make you feel as if you’re playing worse than what you actually are”, McIlroy said. 5 and 6, but rallied with four birdies, including on the par-3 12th.

“It’s nice to put together a couple good rounds after Phoenix [play-off loss against Hideki Matsuyama]” he said. “I knew I needed to make birdie on the last hole to keep pace with him, and to get one more on him was great”. That happened on No. 2 Thursday, a screaming eagle on a Honda Classic course teeming with geese and egrets and all manner of wildlife.

The world number 19, playing alongside Fowler, emerged unscathed and responded to the dropped shot with birdies on the seventh and eighth. “I hit a good tee shot and then followed with a good up and down from just over the back (of the green)”.

“Tomorrow is going to be an important day”.

As the tournament where Rory McIlroy first ascended to world No1, the Honda Classic will always have a special place in his heart.

“I think I have putted well with the short one since the Presidents Cup (in October last year)”, Scott told Sky Sports 4.