Rory McIlroy uses late birdie blitz to lead Masters by six shots

Augusta, Ga. – Rory McIlroy's quest to become only the fourth player to win consecutive Masters might have turned into a 36-hole march toward history thanks to a late birdie binge on Friday that gave him a six-shot lead heading into the weekend at Augusta National. McIlroy carded six birdies over his final seven holes – including a chip-in from 29 yards on No.

17 – to shoot a 7-under-par 65 and sit at 12 under halfway through the 90th Masters. It's a shot better than the score McIlroy finished 72 holes with before winning his first green jacket in a playoff 12 months ago. The Northern Irishman will be paired in Saturday's final group with Sam Burns, who shared the 18-hole lead with McIlroy at 5 under.

Burns also took advantage of a back nine at Augusta National that gave way to unexpectedly low scores Friday, closing with three birdies over his final four holes to get under par for the day with a 71. He was the first to reach the clubhouse at 6 under. Masters scoreboard Burns moved into the final pairing when Patrick Reed's 6-foot par putt on the 18th hole slid left of the cup.

That left the 2018 Masters champion with matching 69s to sit at 6 under for the tournament. Reed briefly tied the lead with a birdie on the 12th to reach 6 with McIlroy bogeying the 10th two holes behind him. Reed would eventually reach 7 under before the dropped shot at 18, while McIlroy was in the midst of his birdie binge.