Scottie Scheffler surges into halfway lead at FedEx St. Jude Championship

The world number one started his second round with five successive birdies in sweltering conditions, although bogeys at the eighth and 12th holes put paid to any bid of recording a sub-60 score.

But he ended his day with four birdies in his last five holes to move to 11 under par overall, establishing a three-shot halfway lead over South Korea’s Sungjae Im and Norway’s Viktor Hovland.

“You always want to try to get off to a good start,” the American said. “I was able to do that today.

“Really just a dream start. Probably one of the best starts I’ve had on tour, to be honest with you. I couldn’t tell you a time where I’ve been lower early in the round.

“My swing has felt really good in the past couple weeks, especially playing at home. It was nice to get out there and get things rolling early in the round and was able to keep the momentum going and shoot myself a nice round.”

Scheffler’s efforts put playing partner Rory McIlroy in the shade, with the Northern Irishman tied for 62nd in the 69-strong field after a level-par 70 left him on four under.

McIlroy approached the 17th on two under for the day, but bogey fives at the last two holes dropped him back although he will play the last two rounds as the opening event of the FedEx Cup play-offs has no cut.

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Jordan Spieth, who has not produced a top-10 finish on the PGA Tour this season, was a joint overnight leader and he remains in touch on six under after Friday’s 69 at TPC Southwind.

Tommy Fleetwood is also on six under after a bogey-free 68.

“I feel like I played a very patient round of golf,” the Englishman said. “It’s just nice to be going into the weekend in a good position.

“What can we do about Scottie Scheffler? Just go out there and try to manage your game as best as possible. Shoot the best score you can and see what happens.

“I think in general in the world of golf Scottie is a great person to chase, whether it’s a tournament this week or he’s the best golfer in the world, and you can all look up to him and try to chase him. He just happens to be up there again and we’ll see what we can do over the weekend.”