Golf - Schauffele grabs halfway lead as Woods, McIlroy retreat at BMW

Sep 7, 2018; Newtown Square, PA, USA; Xander Schauffele watches his tee shot on the twelfth hole during the second round of the BMW Championship golf tournament at Aronimink GC. Mandatory Credit: Eric Sucar-USA TODAY Sports

(Reuters) - Xander Schauffele vaulted into the halfway lead as Rory McIlroy and Tiger Woods slipped back in the second round at the BMW Championship in Pennsylvania on Friday.

Schauffele hit 17 greens in regulation and wielded a hot putter for a six-under-par 64 on the Aronimink course west of Philadelphia.

The British Open runner-up posted a 13-under 127 total, while consistent Englishman Justin Rose shot 63 to roar into second place on 11-under.

Sep 7, 2018; Newtown Square, PA, USA; Xander Schauffele reacts to his birdie on the 17th hole during the second round of the BMW Championship golf tournament at Aronimink GC. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

McIlroy and Woods, who shared the first round lead, could not maintain their torrid pace.

McIlroy plodded to a 69 to fall four strokes behind, while Woods (70) bogeyed the final two holes to slip five back.

Sep 7, 2018; Newtown Square, PA, USA; Xander Schauffele plays his shot from the 18th tee during the second round of the BMW Championship golf tournament at Aronimink GC. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

(Reporting by Andrew Both in Cary, North Carolina; Editing by Ken Ferris)

Sep 7, 2018; Newtown Square, PA, USA; Xander Schauffele lines up a putt on the 16th green during the second round of the BMW Championship golf tournament at Aronimink GC. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports