Despite a Storming day for McIlroy

McIlroy’s progress but Storm was a picture of consistency, making birdies on the four par-fives and the seventh as he extended his bogey-free run to 41 holes.

“I am just really pleased that I kept the momentum from yesterday and played really nicely and holed some good putts,” Storm said.

“I thought I had lost my card and all of the privileges that come from playing on the European Tour. When that happens you realise that you can’t afford to lose it.”

McIlroy added: “I’d like to be a few shots better or at least a few shots closer to the lead. Hopefully I can get off to a good start tomorrow and put a bit of pressure on Graeme and it will be interesting.”

JUSTIN THOMAS wrote his name into the record books for the second time in two days as his 123-score at the halfway point of the Sony Open in Hawaii became the lowest 36-hole total in PGA Tour history.

The 23-year-old became the youngest man to card a sub-60 round with an opening 59 in Honolulu and he followed it up with 64 on Friday to move to 17-under-par overall.

Perhaps more importantly, Thomas is five shots clear of nearest challenger and fellow American Gary Woodland, while England’s Justin Rose is ties for third on 10-under.