Rory McIlroy holds record 36-hole lead at Masters after Augusta masterclass

Defending champion Rory McIlroy seized control of the 90th Masters with a brilliant burst of scoring on the back nine to take a record six-shot lead at the halfway stage.

The Northern Irishman birdied six of his final seven holes – including a chip-in at the 17th – in a second-round 65 to reach 12 under and surge clear from a high-quality chasing pack at Augusta National.

It is the largest 36-hole lead at the Masters, with American duo Patrick Reed, the 2018 Masters winner, and Sam Burns the nearest challengers to McIlroy at six under.

Justin Rose, who McIlroy beat in a play-off to win the Green Jacket last year, Tommy Fleetwood and Shane Lowry sit in a share of fourth place at five under after a strong showing by the European Ryder Cup trio.

McIlroy ended a near 11-year wait to complete the career Grand Slam with a dramatic play-off victory over Rose 12 months ago and is playing with freedom as he targets more Masters history.

Victory this week would see him become just the fourth player in history to repeat as Masters champion, after Jack Nicklaus, Sir Nick Faldo and Tiger Woods.

"Look, I've always felt like this golf course can let you get on runs if you allow it," he said.

"I've built up a nice cushion at this point I guess my mindset is just trying to keep playing well and keeping my foot on the gas.

"I just want to go out and play two good rounds again. Obviously this golf course has certain characteristics that guys can get on runs, guys can make eagles, you hear roars all over the golf course.

"I think the next two days for me is really about focusing on myself. It's hard to avoid those big leaderboards out there, but like I know that I've got a lead. So I don't need to keep checking it all the time.

"So for me, just really focusing on myself and staying in my own little world out there is the best thing."

After withdrawing with a back injury at the Arnold Palmer Invitational last month, McIlroy has not played since The Players Championship and many outside observers questioned whether he could challenge for this year’s Green Jacket.

But he disproved any pre-tournament doubts with a 67 on Thursday, backing that up in spectacular fashion a day later with a brilliant short game performance and an improved showing off the tee after finding only five fairways in the first round.

In a sign of the confidence and freedom he is playing with, McIlory made a hat-trick of birdies at from the second, but a missed green from the fairway at the fifth resulted in his first dropped shot of the day.

A second would follow at the tenth, but a brilliant tee shot at the world-famous 12th provided a spark for McIlroy as his wedge game helped him birdie the 13th.

That moved him to eight under, but with a host of Major champions out on the course in close contention McIlroy accelerated as he took advantage of the par-five 15th before birdieing the 16th after another exquisite tee shot.

However, he was reliant on his short game at the 17th, chipping in from off the green to huge roars from the patrons, before closing out his round in style after another precise approach.

After a week of sunshine, conditions were tough on the opening day but the greens were watered ahead of the second round and scoring proved easier as a result.

Race to Dubai Rankings Delivered by DP World leader Reed shot a three under 69 that finished with a bogey as he too, like McIlroy, bids for his second Green Jacket having won the Masters in 2018.

"The thing that frustrated me most is I hit every golf shot how I wanted to," reflected Reed.

"On 18 you're having to get up and down, and then hit the putt where I wanted to and just doesn't go in. Things like that happen around here."

Burns, who held a share of the first-round lead, closed with back-to-back birdies and will play alongside McIlroy in the final group of Saturday's third round.

Making his 21st Masters start, Rose knows he'll need a brilliant weekend in his quest for an elusive first Masters having improved on his opening 70 with a 69 that featured four birdies in a five-hole stretch from the seventh.

While the former World Number One was part of the morning wave of starters on Friday, both Fleetwood and Lowry were among the final groups of the day.

Fleetwood made two eagles in his 68 to give him hope of a first Major Championship victory, while Lowry birdied two of his final three holes in a bogey-free 69 to also get to five under.

"When you set out yesterday morning, all you can do is give yourself a chance the further the tournament goes on," said Fleetwood.

"I'll sit back and sort of enjoy today, look at the positives of today, and I'm looking forward to teeing off tomorrow. It's great going into Masters weekend in the position that a few of us are in."