McIlroy ties for lead at St. Andrews

FIFE, Scotland, Oct. 2 (UPI) -- Northern Ireland's Rory McIlroy birdied the 18th hole Friday and moved into three-way tie for the lead through two rounds at the Alfred Dunhill Championship.

McIlroy shot 7-under-par 65 Friday at the St. Andrews Golf Club, and his 11-under 133 total equals countryman Michael Hoey (66) and Scotland's Richie Ramsay (66).

"It was a great way to finish the round," the 20-year-old McIlroy said about his closing birdie. "It was nice to hit one to the (18th) green finally."

Fellow Brits Simon Dyson (66) and Ross McGowan (68), Finland's Mikko Ilonen (64) and Scotland's Alistair Forsyth (64) are 10-under 134, tied for fourth place.

Sweden's Robert Karlsson (69), the defending champion, is 1-over 145, joining 14 others in 123rd place.

Among the golfers missing the cut were Carl Schwartzel (147), Felipe Aguilar (149) and Thomas Aiken (152).