Red-hot Rory sets Masters record with 6-shot lead

AUGUSTA, Ga. -- Rory McIlroy delivered a dynamic finish to the Masters on Friday, looking every bit like someone who has done this before. Six birdies over the last seven holes gave him a 7-under 65 and a six-shot lead that set a Masters record through 36 holes.

Maybe he should start thinking about next year's menu for the Masters Club dinner.

McIlroy was locked into a fascinating duel with old nemesis Patrick Reed, and then he was all alone. His tee shot over Rae's Creek on the dangerous par-3 12th landed 7 feet behind the flag. He birdied both par 5s after having to lay up from the trees. He seized on the lower pin at the par-3 16th for what amounted to a tap-in birdie.

If that wasn't enough, he chipped in from 30 yards on the 17th. The run continued when his approach to the 18th caught the ridge and rolled 6 feet away.

That put him at 12-under 132, six shots clear of Reed (69) and Sam Burns (71). The previous record for the largest 36-hole lead at Augusta National was five shots by Jordan Spieth (2015), Raymond Floyd (1976), Jack Nicklaus (1975) and Herman Keiser (1946). All went on to win.

McIlroy's six-shot lead is also tied for the third-largest 36-hole lead in major championship history, trailing only Henry Cotton's nine-shot lead at The Open in 1934 and Brooks Koepka's seven-shot lead at the PGA Championship in 2019, according to ESPN Research.

He's seeking to become the fourth player to win back-to-back at the Masters, joining Nicklaus, Nick Faldo and Tiger Woods.

McIlroy had a 36-hole lead in 2011 and stretched it to four shots going into the final round before he famously imploded. That was the start of his Masters heartache that lasted until a year ago, when he won in a playoff to finally prove he could win at Augusta National.

This was starting to look like a victory lap.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.