n Day has surged into contention in yet another major after a superb second-round 65 at the United States PGA Championship at Valhalla.
Day, the 26-year-old Queenslander who has come so close in a cluster of golf's big tournaments, will play in the final group tomorrow with world No. 1 Rory McIlroy after carding the day's low round, taking birdie at the final two holes.
McIlroy carded a second-round 67 early in the day to take the lead at nine-under par as he attempts to win a second consecutive major.
Day rolled in a birdie putt from 1.5 metres at the par-five 18th much later in the day to finish at eight-under through 36 holes, a surprising outcome given his recent injury concerns. He went through the front nine in just 30, stalled for a stretch, and then closed strongly.
"I'm happy where I am right now, one back from McIlroy,'' he said after his round. "It's going to be a fun weekend.''
Asked about his injured left thumb that caused him to miss a stretch of golf earlier this year and troubled him at the Open Championship, Day said: "It's not 100 percent, but it's not an excuse. McIlroy's obviously the favorite. I'm just trying to chase him down.''
Day, the world No. 9, has seven top-10 finishes and three second places in major championships since 2010, but has never won one of the game's big four tournaments.
Of the other Australians, Matt Jones and Geoff Ogilvy are having good weeks. Jones signed for a second-round 71 to be tied-17th at three-under par, and Ogilvy is tied-25th at two-under along with world No. 2 Adam Scott, who had a 69 today. Scott is seven shots back and would need two low-60s scores to have any chance.
Former world No. 1 Tiger Woods missed the cut after carding a 74, bothered by his sore back. Woods said he felt pain while he was on the driving range, and he struggled through his round, wincing at times. He will now miss qualification for the Fedex Cup playoff series and the Ryder Cup, meaning his 2014 season could be over.
It is just the fourth cut he has missed in a major as a professional.