Record-breaker Rory McIlroy on course to open Masters floodgates in dry Augusta

Buoyed by finally getting his cherished Green Jacket here 12 months ago, the 36-year-old leads by a commanding six shots at the halfway stage in the event’s 90th edition.

It’s the largest-ever halfway advantage in this tournament and, if he can keep it going, McIlroy will be breaking lots of other records this weekend.

Over the course of two days, the world No 2 hasn’t hit a single fairway on eight par 5s at the Georgia venue, yet has played them in seven-under-par.

Helped by that return, he’s opened his title defence with rounds of 67 and 66, becoming the first returning champion to start the week with consecutive rounds in the 60s since Ian Woosnam in 1992.

Prior to this week, the largest 36-hole lead in this tournament for a defending champion had been two shots, which was Arnold Palmer’s margin at the same stage in 1959.

Patrick Reed, the 2018 winner, is McIlroy’s closest challenger along with fellow American on six under, with European trio Justin Rose, Shane Lowry and Tommy Fleetwood all one further back.

In this sort of form, though, McIlroy looks unstoppable. It might have taken him 17 attempts to finally win here, having suffered heartache along the way.

But, as we all knew, of course, his game is tailormade for this place and who knows how many Green Jackets could end up in McIlroy’s wardrobe by the time he is done and dusted.

“It was an amazing end to the round,” admitted the Northern Irishman of picking up six birdies in the last seven holes, including four to finish. “Standing on the 12th tee, I did not imagine I would be six shots clear heading into the weekend.”

The highlight of McIlroy’s sensational finish was chipping in at the 17th from one side of the green to the other. He described that as a “bonus” after being in the trees with his drive.

The world No 2 looks to be free-wheeling since getting the monkey off his back here last year. “There is a little bit of that,” he admitted. “My short game has also been so good. I spent a lot of time here over the last three weeks. I felt part of the furniture and it has paid off.”

Burns, who had shared the overnight lead, picked up three shots in the last four holes as he signed for a second-round 71, with Reed sitting alongside him after a 69.

Helped by two wins in the Middle East earlier in the year, Reed leads the DP World Tour’s Race to Dubai, which McIlroy is bidding to win for a record-equalling eighth time this season.

That is going to be an interesting sub-plot over the weekend and Reed, a local man, is certainly capable of putting pressure on McIlroy at some point.

As are the likes of three-time runner-up Rose, FedEx Cup champion Fleetwood and 2019 Open champion Lowry, though seven shots does feel like a lot to try and make up, especially with McIlroy being the man they are all trying to catch.

“I know what can happen here - good and bad,” insisted the leader with a smile, but you get the feeling it is mainly going to get better and better for him from now on.