By Mark Lamport-Stokes
KOHLER, Wisconsin, Aug 14 (Reuters) - Rory McIlroy says he has been greatly encouraged by his overall play at this week's PGA Championship but needs to improve his short game over the weekend to have a realistic chance of successfully defending his title.
Back in tournament mode after nearly two months out because of an ankle injury, the Northern Irish world number one stayed on the fringe of contention at Whistling Straits with a second successive one-under-par 71 in receptive conditions on Friday.
His only real complaints were over his putting and scrambling ability, or lack thereof.