At nine-under, South Africa’s Louis Oosthuizen and American Kyle Stanley are tied for the lead at golf’s unofficial fifth major with JB Holmes a shot behind, followed by veteran Vijay Singh at seven-under at the halfway point of the Players Championship.

Adam Scott battled a misbehaving putter to remain in the mix at two-under. After leading the field in putting during the first round, the 36-year-old missed a series of short putts but scrapped for an even-par 72. But Scott remained positive about his score on a brutal Sawgrass set-up. Phil Mickelson and Jason Day finished at 2 under par. Rickie Fowler, Sergio Garcia and Dustin Johnson finished at even par for the 36 holes.

Meanwhile, four-time major winner Rory McIlroy will undergo an MRI in Belfast on Monday after aggravating an injury that had kept him on the sidelines for seven weeks earlier this year. McIlroy shot a 71 today to make the cut with an even-par total. 

Jordan Spieth struggled for the second consecutive day at the Players Championship on Friday, shooting a second-round, three-over 75 to miss the cut at TPC Sawgrass in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida.

Spieth finished the tournament at four-over and accomplished an unwanted personal first by missing the cut at the Players for the third consecutive year