Berger, who has not received on the PGA Tour since 2021, put himself on the right track for the £3m prime prize because of a clear run on the again 9 which included three birdies.
“I actually feel like I played better [today] – the course was a little tougher,” he stated.
“I’m looking forward to the next couple of days and seeing the challenge they bring.”
Americans Sahith Theegala and Collin Morikawa and Sweden’s Ludvig Aberg are tied for third on seven underneath, with American Ricky Fowler one shot additional again.
McIlroy, who birdied 4 of the primary seven holes on the again 9, stated: “I played the last 10 holes really, really well.
“Overall I’m actually happy. I performed a really form of managed, affected person round of golf, which it’s essential to do round right here.”
American world number one Scottie Scheffler bogeyed the 18th in a round of 71 that left him three under.
England’s Tommy Fleetwood, who was 4 over after the primary round, shot three birdies on the again 9 in a second-round 69 to make the lower on one over.
