Scheffler roars six clear in Dallas as Power watches cut line

Rory McIlroy’s Masters win has put the game’s top players on notice.

But world number one Scottie Scheffler appears ready for the challenge after he roared into a six-shot clubhouse lead in the weather-delayed CJ Cup Byron Nelson in Dallas.

The two-time Masters champion (28) began round two with eight consecutive pars and an eagle at his ninth hole (the 18th) before play was suspended for six hours and 15 minutes due to lightning.

On the resumption of play, after a thunderstorm dumped 0.88 inches of rain on TPC Craig Ranch, he made six birdies en route to adding an eight-under 63 to his opening 62.

At 18-under-par, his career-best 36-hole total on the PGA Tour, left him six shots clear of Forth Worth’s Sam Stevens, who shot 65.

Seamus Power battled his way to a level par 71, but at two-under, he was tied for 80th and outside the cut line with 78 players still to complete their second rounds.

Power hopes to make the PGA Championship at Quail Hollow via the PGA Championship Points list.

But at 65th, he could potentially fall out of the top 70 who qualify for the season’s second major should he miss the cut in Dallas

The cut is not a concern for Scheffler, whose 18-under total was one shy of the all-time 36-hole opening score on Tour (since 1983) held by Justin Thomas.

“Feeling good,” said Scheffler, who has yet to win this season. “I had two nice days. We'll see how the scores shake out as more guys come in.

“Overall, very pleased with how I played. Yeah, pretty good. Go home, get a little bit of rest, and get ready for tomorrow.”

Scheffler took advantage of a wet golf course to surge clear and after some mixed performances, especially with his irons so far this year, he looks ready to win.

“I feel like my game's in a good spot,” he said. “I feel like I'm trending in the right direction.

“Today I had two really solid days of golf, and looking forward to getting out tomorrow and trying to execute some more shots.”

Dallas-based Scheffler was ranked first for approach play and fifth for driving and looks closer to the level that brought him nine worldwide wins last year.

“I had some good starts recently,” he said. “I had a good start at the Masters (fourth), solid start, and then I had a chance here in Houston (T2).

“Overall, I had a decent week in Hilton Head (T8). I didn't have a great Sunday, but I played some pretty solid golf overall. So I definitely feel like my game is trending in the right direction.”

He added: “It's going to be a lot of fun to play here and have a chance to win.”

In the LPGA’s Black Desert Championship in Utah, Korea’s Haeran Ryu shot a 67 to lead by two shots on 14-under from compatriot Somi Lee. 

On the Epson Tour, Sara Byrne missed her third cut in five starts in the Reliance Matrix Championship in Las Vegas.

The Douglas player (23) added a 73 to her opening 74 at Spanish Trail Country Club to miss the cut by two strokes.

On the PGA Tour Champions, Ernie Els was one of eight players tied for the lead on four under in the Insperity Invitational in Texas when play was suspended due to lightning.

Darren Clarke was one-under through nine at The Woodlands, with Padraig Harrington one-over through the turn.

Meanwhile, Dublin’s David Carey was tied for 50th at halfway in the Diners Cup Peru Open on the PGA Tour Americas.

He followed a 73 with a four-under 68 to make the two-under cut with a shot to spare at Los Inkas Golf Club in Lima and was seven shots off the lead.