McIlroy’s struggles continue in Memphis

Scottie Scheffler made Rory McIlroy's second-round 70 look positively ragged as he carded a course-record-equalling nine-under 61 to claim the halfway lead in the FedEx St Jude Championship in Memphis.

The world number one, who is seeking his first win since The American Express in late January, leads by three shots from Viktor Hovland (64) and Sungjae Im (66) on 11-under par at TPC Southwind.

The Texan topped the strokes gained putting statistics in the second round, rolling on 111 feet of putts as he birdied his first five holes, and six of the first seven, in an 11-birdie round at the opening play-off event.

"I wouldn't say golf's ever easy," Scheffler said. "I did some good things out there. I hit some iron shots in there close and was able to hole a few putts as well."

He added: "Yesterday was a day when I felt like I played better than my score, but early in the round I was off the fairway a lot. 

"So it could have been a day in which my score could have definitely been worse, and it definitely could have been a lot better. 

"But today was a day in which I felt I got a lot out of the round."

As for his putting, which has forced him to settle for 10 top-10 finishes in his last 16 starts, including five runner-ups, he was pleased with his haul of 13 single-putt greens.

"I think it's just golf," he said. "That's really all it is. That's why I talked about being patient yesterday because I felt like I played a little better than my score. It was nice to get out there early and knock in some putts and give myself some really good looks as well."

As for McIlroy, who opened with a rusty 74, it was more of the same in his first start since tying for 40th in The Open three weeks ago.

He birdied two of his first four holes but missed seven greens, including the last four, and closed with back-to-back bogeys.

His level par 70 left him tied for 62nd on four over in a field reduced to 68 following Robert MacIntyre's decision to withdraw after a career-high 82 on Thursday.

The Holywood star was projected to fall to 14th in the FedEx Cup standings.

Shane Lowry, who started the week ranked 62nd in the race to make the top 50 who will contest next week's BMW Championship at Bellerive Country Club in St Louis, shot a two-over 72 to share 45th on one-over.

The former Open champion lies seven shots outside the placing he likely needs to make the top-50 and now needs a red-hot weekend to extend his PGA Tour season.