Whereas Fleetwood loved serene progress on Friday, McIlroy was 10 pictures adrift after mixing two birdies with three bogeys over the primary 12 holes.
However the world quantity two picked up 4 pictures in his final six holes to put up his second successive 69 and be a part of Ryder Cup team-mate Viktor Hovland on six beneath.
“I felt like my strategy play was fairly scrappy, missed an iron shot proper on 4, in order that’s not splendid,” mentioned McIlroy, who shook palms with Indian cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar after ending his spherical.
“Being a bit tidier and hold the bogeys off the scorecard, I believe I can have a very good weekend and get nearer to the leaders.”
US Ryder Cup participant Ben Griffin – enjoying with McIlroy and Hovland – recovered from a sluggish begin to card his second straight 68 and sit 4 pictures off Fleetwood.
Japan’s Keita Nakajima is 10 beneath after following a 65 with a 69, whereas Shubhankar Sharma is the main Indian participant on 4 beneath after a bogey-free 66.
