McIlroy level with Wilson at the turn

McIlroy, who reached the last eight on his debut 12 months ago, had recovered from four down to beat American Kevin Na on the opening day and he was behind again when Wilson chipped to four feet at the long second.

The Mansfield golfer, still searching for his first professional victory despite being part of Europe’s last Ryder Cup side, bogeyed the sixth and seventh to fall behind and was in danger of losing the long eighth as well.

However, McIlroy went over the green from a greenside bunker and ran up a bogey six to fall back on level terms.

Last year’s runner-up Casey, still recovering from the torn rib muscle he suffered last summer, marched into a five-up lead after only seven holes of his second round clash with Canadian left-hander Mike Weir.

Donald, returning to form following wrist surgery in 2008, was four-up on Australian Robert Allenby.

Casey opened with a comfortable win over Canada’s other representative Stephen Ames, but Weir had an incredible nine birdies in 10 holes as he knocked out Alvaro Quiros.

The former Masters champion knew there was a danger of him not repeating anything like that form, though, and he could not match Casey’s birdies at the first, second and fourth.

Donald had a runners-up finish on the US tour only two weeks ago and after overcoming McIlroy’s fellow Northern Irishman Graeme McDowell he was quickly in control against Allenby.

The Australian did not help his cause, however, by taking bogeys at the third and fifth.

No fewer than six Englishmen had reached the last 32. Ian Poulter was all square with Adam Scott after five, while bottom seed Ross McGowan – conqueror of top seed Steve Stricker – and Lee Westwood were late starters after Japan’s Ryo Ishikawa and American Nick Watney respectively.

Westwood was the highest surviving seed following Stricker’s exit.