Scottie Scheffler takes control at Memorial Tournament as Rory McIlroy sits six off lead

Rory McIlroy is six shots off the lead held by world number one Scottish Scheffler at the halfway stage of the Memorial Tournament in Dublin, Ohio.

Shane Lowry, meanwhile, just made the cut and Seamus Power is in a tie for 15th after Friday's second round.

McIlroy followed up Thursday's 70 with a one-under 71, featuring four birdies, which leaves him three under overall in a four-way tie for seventh alongside recently crowned US PGA Championship winner Xander Schauffele.

"I scrambled well, made a ton of pars, stayed patient," McIlroy said.

"I made a couple of bogeys after making birdies and just stayed as patient as I could, which was important.

"This is probably more US Open like than the US Open's going to be next week. I think that mindset of being patient and making as many pars as possible, I think that's going to be the MO for next week as well."

Power, who had been well placed after an opening 69, has slipped back to two shots behind McIlroy, after a 74, with a double bogey on six particularly costly for the Waterford man.

With the cut mark at four over, Lowry just ensured that he will the play weekend after a 73 kept him above water on three over.

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At the summit, Scheffler eagled the 15th hole and birdied the last to build a three-shot advantage as he seeks his fifth win of the season. In his past seven starts dating to March, the American has won four tournaments and tied for second twice.

Scheffler's four-under 68 was the second-best round of the day as Muirfield Village Golf Club played tougher in the second round than the first.

At nine under through two days, Scheffler has a healthy advantage over Norway's Viktor Hovland (69 Friday) and Canada's Adam Hadwin (72) back at six under.

South African