Shane Lowry sits just one stroke off the lead at the halfway mark of the Truist Championship in Philadelphia. And defending champion Rory McIlroy is also firmly in contention at the sixth Signature event of the 2025 calendar. Keith Mitchell leads the no-cut event on 12 under par after carding a 67 in damp and chilly conditions. But it was Lowry’s round drew the most attention, as the Offaly native surged into second place thanks to a superb 65, which was the lowest score of the day at Philadelphia Cricket Club. Lowry made an electric start, picking up four birdies in his opening eight holes. A bogey on the 10th threatened to halt his momentum, but the 38-year-old responded in spectacular fashion by draining a 53-foot putt on the 11th — a bold effort that could just as easily have raced past. He added another birdie at the 15th to reach 11 under par heading into the weekend. Speaking after his round, Lowry acknowledged his comfort in challenging rainy weather. The round started earlier than usual as the tour brought forward tee-time. He stated: “Everyone says that to me every day when it rains,” he said. “I live in South Florida, and I plan to be there now. "No, I think I'm able to handle them probably better than a few people, but I don’t particularly like or enjoy going out and playing in these conditions — but yeah, I handle them well.” The Clara native's Austrian Ryder Cup team-mate Sepp Straka is one stroke further back on 10 under, while McIlroy is five behind Mitchell after rounds of 66 and 67. The world number two made six birdies and three bogeys in round two. The Masters champion said: “Even when I feel like I haven't played my best, I find a way. “I think that’s when I talk about being a more complete golfer — if one part of my game isn’t on, then I can maybe lean into another part, like today holing quite a few putts and making my score that way rather than hitting the ball unbelievably well.” All the action is live on Sky Sports Golf.