McIlroy survives to weekend while Power misses cut in California

Chile's Joaquin Niemann carded his second successive 63 to hold a two-stroke lead at the midway point, while the Irish duo struggled at the Genesis Invitational in California.

Only one of the Irish pair will remain for the weekend with Rory McIlroy posting a 70 to sit at three-under par, good enough to book a tee-time for Saturday and Sunday but 13 strokes off the lead.

Seamus Power, however, fell the wrong side of the cut line, struggling to a 74, finishing at two over par for the tournament.

The Chilean Niemann continues to set the pace, an eagle on the opening hole setting the tone for another stunning round, as he registered a 36-hole tournament record to sit at 16-under par.

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His Friday effort was bettered by PGA Tour rookie Cameron Young, who posted a career-low round of 62 to leap into second place at 14 under.

There are star-studded names gathering behind. Justin Thomas shot a second-round 64 to take third at 11 under. Adam Scott of Australia (65 on Friday) and Jordan Spieth (67) are tied for fourth on nine-under, and Collin Morikawa (67) is alone in sixth at eight-under. Each of the top 10 players in the Official World Golf Ranking entered the tournament, but no one has played better than the 23-year-old Niemann, who opened his second round with an eagle at the par-5 first hole and added seven birdies and one bogey the rest of the way. Niemann drove the green in two at the straightaway first hole. His second shot settled inside four feet of the pin for an easy eagle putt.