Turkish Airlines Open 2015: Friday Leaderboard Scores and Highlights

South Africa's Jaco van Zyl shot a second-round 69 to remain atop the leaderboard at the 2015 Turkish Airlines Open after Friday's action.

He came into the day 11-under par with a three-shot lead, but English duo Chris Wood and Richard Bland now sit just two back in second on 12-under.

Race to Dubai leader Rory McIlroy put together a terrific round of golf to card a second consecutive 67, and the world No. 3 now sits just four shots back from Van Zyl going into the weekend.

Here's how the leaderboard looks after Day 2 of the 2015 Turkish Airlines Open:

#	Player	To Par	Friday Score
1	Jaco Van Zyl	-14	69
T2	Richard Bland	-12	65
T2	Chris Wood	-12	66
T4	Fabrizio Zanotti	-11	66
T4	Victor Dubuisson	-11	64
T6	Alexander Levy	-10	65
T6	Rory McIlroy	-10	67
T8	Kiradech Aphibarnrat	-9	68
T8	Graeme McDowell	-9	65
T8	Lee Westwood	-9	71

The full leaderboard can be accessed by visiting the European Tour's official website.

Recap

Jan Kruger/Getty Images

Van Zyl could not repeat his staggering 61 from Thursday, but he did enough to keep hold of spot going into the weekend.

He had a brilliant time of it up to the turn—he started on the 10th—picking up four birdies on 11, 13, 15 and 17.

After another birdie on the first, it looked as though Van Zyl may break away from the chasing pack. However, dropped shots at the par-five fourth and the eighth saw him finish with a 69.

It was the definitive game of two halves for Bland. Also starting on 10th, he reached the turn having posted nine consecutive pars.

But from the first he carded four consecutive birdies and then picked up another three shots in the last four holes, securing a three on the par-four ninth with a swinging putt, per the European Tour:

Frenchmen Alexander Levy and Victor Dubuisson—the 2013 champion at the Montgomerie Maxx Royal —both made moves on Friday with a 65 and a 64, respectively, to move into the top 10.

Graeme McDowell was similarly impressive as he moved to nine-under after a bogey-less round that included seven birdies.

His fellow Northern Irishman McIlroy moved himself steadily up the leaderboard during a round in which he barely holed a decent length putt but dominated the par fives.

Birdies on all but one of the five par fives, along with a birdie on 12 after a wonderful approach shot, saw McIlroy move to 10 under and put him firmly in the mix near the top of the leaderboard heading into the weekend.

Lee Westwood was the closest challenger to Van Zyl following the opening day's action. But the Englishman endured a frustrating round on Friday as he could only card a 71.

He is still very much in contention only five shots back from the leader, but the luck was not with him, per the European Tour:

The field of 78 players in Turkey is packed with quality, and they will all remain for the weekend as there is no cut.

Van Zyl will be well aware of the world-class players who are chasing him, and he will have to produce some immense golf to stay ahead of the pack all the way up until Sunday evening.