Portugal Colonial - McIlroy on the charge at PGA Championship

McIlroy had a poor finish to his first round at the Wentworth course, southwest of London, with three bogeys in his closing six holes.

But it was a different story on Friday for the Northern Irishman, one of just six men golfers to have won all four of golf's major titles.

McIlroy, the reigning US Masters champion, made three birdies in his opening five holes.

The 37-year-old McIlroy, trying to reel in Patrick Reed to win a record-equalling eighth Race to Dubai title, dropped a shot on the par-four eighth to head into the turn on 33 but regained that stroke with a birdie from 16 feet on the 11th hole.

A birdie on the par-three 14th was followed by a bogey at 16.

McIlroy narrowly missed an eagle chance on the 17th but he tapped that in and then made another birdie on the last for a round of 67.

Reed retired midway through his second round with an injury, the American having been nine over.

Gerard, who had started the day at five under, rolled in a fine eagle from 20 feet on the 17th to take the outright lead, before finishing with a birdie in a superb round of 65.

Australia's Adam Scott finished at 10 under after his 67 left him two shots off the lead and sharing second place with Italy's Filippo Celli.

"I have had a couple of easy weeks," Scott said. "I felt a little under done, probably, golf-wise coming in here, but at least fresh mentally. I think that has been good for me the last couple days."

US PGA champion Aaron Rai, playing alongside McIlroy and British Open champion Ryan Fox in a showpiece group, also had a birdie-birdie finish for his 69, which leaves the Englishman at nine under alongside Spain's Manuel Elvira.

New Zealand's Fox was one of a quintet of players on eight under, with McIlroy, England's Ross Fisher, Spain's Ignacio Elvira and JJ Spaun of the United States.

A.P.Maia--PC