JOHANNESBURG -- Rory McIlroy stayed close to the leaders at the SA Open on Friday despite hurting his back.
The second-ranked McIlroy (68) made five birdies on the first six holes of the back nine but bogeyed the final two to finish in a five-way tie for fifth after two rounds.
"I'm actually surprised I'm standing here. I actually thought about pulling out before even teeing off today," he said. "I tweaked my back somehow and the first few shots today weren't very comfortable and it still isn't really comfortable. I can't really take a deep breath because I've done something to my upper back.