Magical McIlroy storms into six-shot lead at The Masters after stunning Friday 65

Twelve months after securing the career Grand Slam with a play-off win over Justin Rose, McIlroy strengthened his bid for further major glory with a superb 65 on Friday - the lowest round of the day.

The 36-year-old reached 12 under par, setting a new benchmark for the lowest 36-hole total by a defending champion and establishing the largest halfway lead in tournament history. He now looks poised to join Jack Nicklaus, Sir Nick Faldo and Tiger Woods as one of the few players to win back-to-back Masters titles.

A blistering finish - six birdies across his final seven holes - propelled McIlroy clear of Sam Burns and past champion Patrick Reed. Justin Rose and Shane Lowry carded second-round 69s to sit in a tie for fourth alongside Tommy Fleetwood.

"This course, it enables you to get on runs," McIlroy told Sky Sports. "I certainly didn't imagine birdieing six of the last seven, but I've always felt like when you're feeling it around here, you can get momentum, and the crowd gets on your side and you can just keep it rolling. This afternoon was one of those afternoons."

Further back, Tyrrell Hatton climbed into a share of seventh with a 66, while Bryson DeChambeau - among the pre-tournament favourites - missed the cut after a costly triple-bogey on his final hole in a round of 74.

McIlroy took control early with three straight birdies, and although a few mistakes briefly allowed Reed to draw level, he quickly responded with a birdie at the 12th to spark another surge.

He capitalised on key holes to build a four-shot lead, then finished in style with a brilliant chip-in at the 17th and a closing birdie to cap a dominant round.

"I so desperately wanted to win here just so I could come back each and every year, and thankfully I was able to do that last year," McIlroy added. "So, doing that, when I miss fairways, it's fine. When I miss greens, it's fine. I feel like I'm sort of playing with the house's money, which is a nice feeling to have.

"If I can just keep thinking well and making good decisions with whatever is put in front of me, and really just keep putting one foot in front of the other - hopefully do that for the weekend and everything works out."

Of the 54 players who made the cut, only 19 are under par, with world No 1 Scottie Scheffler languishing on level par - 12 shots adrift after a second-round 74.

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