The US Open winner, who had an eagle two and a double-bogey seven, is 8 under with Gary Boyd, Simon Dyson and Jamie Donaldson.

Morning leader Nick Dougherty ended his 21-tournament streak of failing to make the cut, shooting 72 to be 7 under. Dougherty has not reached weekend play since the Singapore Open in November 2010.

Martin Kaymer, Jaco van Zyl and Danny Willett also trail the leaders by one stroke.

World No. 5 Kaymer and sixth-ranked McIlroy can climb to third with victory this weekend.

Lee Westwood, the world No. 2, is two shots back on 6 under.