Journeyman ties 36-hole record at Wentworth to lead by two; McIlroy four shots back

VIRGINIA WATER, England (AP) — Three weeks ago, Matthew Baldwin was laughing at himself for mishitting a drive so badly that the ball went between his legs and advanced just one yard in front of the tee markers.

On Friday, the No. 363-ranked journeyman from England was the second-round leader by two strokes at the flagship event on the European tour and preparing himself for the biggest weekend of his career.

The 38-year-old Baldwin shot 6-under 66 to set an unexpectedly hot pace at the BMW PGA Championship at 13 under, which tied the prestigious tournament’s 36-hole record. Many of Europe's top players — including Rory McIlroy, who shot 68 to be four strokes off the lead — were having a hard time getting near him.

It's quite the story, with Baldwin having gone through the tour’s qualifying school six times in a turbulent career that, just two years ago, saw him playing on the Challenge Tour — the level below the European tour — and ranked just inside the top 850 in the world. He was back on the main tour last year when he earned his only pro win, at the SDC Championship in South Africa.

This year has been a challenge at times, missing four straight cuts across June and July before finding some form. There was a tie for 12th at the Czech Masters in August and then a tie for 18th at the British Masters at The Belfry — where he experienced that embarrassing incident off the tee.

Asked what he had learned through all the tough times, Baldwin said: "That there are more important things in life, I guess.

“At the end of the day, we are all here trying our hardest. At times, my hardest wasn’t good enough. Now I'm in a good place, mentally and physically, and enjoying what I'm doing.”

Baldwin built on his overnight one-shot lead, following a first-round 65, by making seven birdies — including five in six holes from No. 3 — to go along with a dropped shot at No. 11. That is his only bogey so far.

“Just playing sensible golf, really,” Baldwin said of his strategy around the West Course. “I’m trying not to hit it too close, which obviously then forces you — sometimes you can get short-sided and things like that.

“I’ve been putting really well, which has kept momentum going.”

Niklas Norgaard of Denmark, who won that British Masters this month, was the closest challenger to Baldwin after a 67, which left him on 11 under.

Antoine Rozner of France, ranked No. 199, was a shot further back after making birdie on each of the final five holes to complete a bogey-free 65.

“To be very honest with you, I’ve been struggling a little bit with my game,” Rozner said, “so this type of round today was very good.”

The No. 3-ranked McIlroy hit a 220-yard approach at the par-5 18th to 15 feet but couldn't convert an eagle putt in front of a raucous gallery in fading light. A birdie lifted him into a tie for fourth place with 2013 champion Matteo Manassero (68) on 9 under overall, leaving McIlroy in a strong position to win the event for the second time — after 2014 — with no one else in the top four in the world's top 100.

“I feel good — if I look at the leaderboard, the guys up there at the top have played very well over the first couple of days," said McIlroy, before adding: “Maybe they've not a ton of experience in that position.”

Billy Horschel, the 2021 champion from the United States, shot 69 and was five strokes behind Baldwin in sixth place outright. European Ryder Cup players Tommy Fleetwood (68) and Robert MacIntyre (70) were a further shot back.

Defending champion Ryan Fox chipped in on two straight holes — to salvage bogey at No. 15 and for an eagle 2 at No. 16 — to shoot 70 and made the cut on 3 under overall.

There was a delay of nearly 80 minutes around lunchtime because of thunder and lightning.

AP golf: https://apnews.com/hub/golf

Northern Ireland's Rory McIlroy reacts after missing his birdie putt on the 18th during day two of the 2024 BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth Golf Club in Virginia Water, England, Friday Sept. 20, 2024. (Zac Goodwin/PA via AP)

Northern Ireland's Rory McIlroy on the 3rd hole during day two of the PGA Championship at Wentworth Golf Club in Virginia Water, England, Friday Sept. 20, 2024. (Zac Goodwin/PA via AP)

Northern Ireland's Rory McIlroy plays a shot in the rough off the 7th fairway during day two of the 2024 BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth Golf Club in Virginia Water, England, Friday Sept. 20, 2024. (Zac Goodwin/PA via AP)

Billy Horschel of the U.S. tees off the 8th during day two of the 2024 BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth Golf Club in Virginia Water, England, Friday, Sept. 20, 2024. (Zac Goodwin/PA via AP)

England's Aaron Rai tees off the 8th during day two of the 2024 BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth Golf Club in Virginia Water, England, Friday, Sept. 20, 2024. (Zac Goodwin/PA via AP)

England's Marcus Armitage tees off the 8th during day two of the 2024 BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth Golf Club in Virginia Water, England, Friday, Sept. 20, 2024. (Zac Goodwin/PA via AP)

Mark Hubbard of the United States chips out of a bunker on the 1st during day two of the 2024 BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth Golf Club in Virginia Water, England, Friday Sept. 20, 2024. (Zac Goodwin/PA via AP)

Denmark's Thorbjorn Olesen plays from the 1st fairway during day two of the 2024 BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth Golf Club in Virginia Water, England, Friday Sept. 20, 2024. (Zac Goodwin/PA via AP)

England's Matthew Baldwin looks on during day two of the 2024 BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth Golf Club in Virginia Water, England, Friday, Sept. 20, 2024. (Zac Goodwin/PA via AP)

England's Matthew Baldwin tees off the 8th during day two of the 2024 BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth Golf Club in Virginia Water, England, Friday, Sept. 20, 2024. (Zac Goodwin/PA via AP)

GREENVILLE, S.C. (AP) — South Carolina voters on Tuesday aimed to winnow the field in high-profile races for governor and U.S. Senate, with Republicans seeking to maintain a statewide winning streak that stretches back decades.

Republican contenders have trumpeted their loyalty to President Donald Trump, who has remained popular in the state despite some nationwide wavering as the war with Iran continues. Sen. Lindsey Graham, among Trump's top allies on Capitol Hill, notched the president's endorsement before his campaign had even begun.

In the governor's race, Trump backed Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette over several opponents, including U.S. Rep. Nancy Mace. The primary will determine whether the endorsement can help Evette win outright or if there will be a runoff on June 23.

Democrats are searching for their first victory in a statewide race here in 20 years, but their campaigns for governor and Senate were an uphill climb. Polls closed at 7 p.m. as candidates' supporters gathered at watch parties, awaiting the results.

Competition among Republicans for Trump’s support has seemed more intense than any other facet of the primary campaign.

Even before Evette received the president's endorsement, she frequently featured photos and videos of herself with Trump in campaign materials. She was backed by outgoing Gov. Henry McMaster, a longstanding ally of Trump whose support telegraphed the president's own.

Mace also wanted Trump's support, and he endorsed her congressional reelection in 2024 even though she criticized his actions of Jan. 6, 2021, when his supporters stormed the U.S. Capitol.

Rep. Ralph Norman, among the most conservative members of the House and a member of the Freedom Caucus, strongly supported Trump in the president’s first term. But in the 2024 campaign, Norman stumped for former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley instead of Trump.

Rom Reddy, a coastal businessman who has eschewed campaign donations and self-funded his effort, has touted his lack of political experience as an asset, drawing comparisons between Trump and himself.

South Carolina’s other top contest Tuesday is its Senate race, where Graham is competing for the Republican nomination as he seeks a fifth term. A political confidant and regular golfing partner of the president, Graham has routinely batted back primary challengers over the years. Some of this year's contenders — including Project 2025 chief architect Paul Dans and former Lt. Gov. André Bauer — dropped out months ago.

Although their relationship has undulated through the years, Graham has remained close with Trump, who fulfilled the senator's longstanding wish for direct confrontation between Washington and Tehran. Graham cheered Trump’s decision to strike nuclear sites last year and recently said he often speaks to the president about the ongoing conflict.

Among Graham's primary foes is Greenville businessman Mark Lynch, who has said Graham isn't conservative enough to represent the state. Calling himself an “America First” candidate, Lynch has campaigned as a Trump supporter, but on social media the president has called him a “lunatic” and a “disaster for the Republican Party."

Democrats haven’t won the governor’s office or a Senate seat in South Carolina for decades.

McMaster defeated his opponent by nearly 18 percentage points in 2022. Graham won by 10 points in 2020, defeating Jaime Harrison after the most expensive race in state history.

Some Democrats hope to capitalize on dissatisfaction with Trump this year. In the governor's race, State Rep. Jermaine Johnson, seen as a rising star in the party, is facing several opponents, including political newcomer Billy Webster, a payday loan company founder who lent his campaign $2 million. There's also attorney Mullins McLeod, who withstood calls from party leaders to shutter his campaign after dashcam video of his 2025 disorderly conduct arrest was released.

In the Senate race, Charleston physician Annie Andrews — who unsuccessfully challenged Mace in 2022 — is vying for the Democratic nomination against Brandon Brown, a funeral homeowner and former House candidate.

Meg Kinnard can be reached at http://x.com/MegKinnardAP

South Carolina Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette speaks during the final rally of her GOP primary campaign for governor on Monday, June 8, 2026, in Greer, S.C. (AP Photo/Meg Kinnard)

FILE - U.S. Rep. Nancy Mace, R-S.C., takes questions from reporters following a South Carolina gubernatorial GOP candidate debate on April 1, in Newberry, S.C. (AP Photo/Meg Kinnard, File)

FILE - Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette, R-S.C., takes questions from reporters after receiving the endorsement of Gov. Henry McMaster, R-S.C., in the 2026 GOP gubernatorial primary, Feb. 12, 2026, in Columbia, S.C. (AP Photo/Meg Kinnard, File)

FILE - Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., speaks with supporters after filing his reelection paperwork, March 16, 2026, in Columbia, S.C. (AP Photo/Meg Kinnard, File)