Rory McIlroy mounts a late charge while Daniel Berger extends his advantage at the Arnold Palmer Invitational.

Rory McIlroy recorded four birdies in his final nine holes, yet he remains nine strokes behind Daniel Berger at the midpoint of the Arnold Palmer Invitational.

The American increased his overnight advantage from three strokes to five with a second round score of 68, placing him at 13-under-par at Bay Hill.

Fellow American Akshay Bhatia is five shots back after posting a 66, while Sweden’s Ludvig Åberg is another shot behind, tied with American players Sahith Theegala and Collin Morikawa.

Berger began the day with a 25-foot birdie putt on the first hole and maintained his momentum by adding three more birdies on the back nine.

Following an opening round of 72, McIlroy was even par at the turn before gaining four strokes in seven holes, moving into a tie for ninth, one position ahead of world number one Scottie Scheffler.

England’s Tommy Fleetwood made three birdies on his back nine to finish with a score of 60, placing him at one-over-par after narrowly avoiding the cut line.

“Yesterday was really disappointing, because it was just an odd day where I was just, you know, crap,” Fleetwood stated to PGATour.com after completing the second round.

“Last year I made the cut on the mark here. I played really well over the weekend. Just got to keep that in mind.”