Rory McIlroy insisted he would not get protective over his record lead at The Masters and vowed to "keep swinging" in his quest to defend his Augusta crown. 

McIlroy edged closer to becoming the first golfer to win back-to-back Masters since Tiger Woods between 2001 and 2002 following a sensational second-round 65.

The Northern Irishman also made history, breaking the record for the lowest 36-hole score by a defending champion to get to 12 under and go six shots clear of the rest of the field.

McIlroy birdied six of his last seven holes, which included a sensational 30-yard chip on the 17th, to take control of the race for the green jacket heading into day three. 

His fine display comes 12 months on from completing his career Grand Slam at Augusta, with a victory that also saw him end an 11-year wait for the fifth major title of his career.

The 36-year-old also led by six shots at the halfway stage of his first major triumph, the 2011 US Open at Congressional Country Club, where he went on to win by eight shots.

Asked after Friday's round what 'Congressional Rory' would advise him now, McIlroy replied: "Don't protect it. Go out and play freely, keep swinging.

"That was a big part of the lesson from the 2011 Masters to the 2011 US Open.

"Don't get protective, go out there and keep playing, keep trying to make birdies, stay as trusting and as committed as possible."

Rory McIlroy sets a new record for the largest 36-hole lead. #themasters pic.twitter.com/bsir7IzxVE

— The Masters (@TheMasters) April 10, 2026

Having beaten Justin Rose in a play-off to claim his first Masters win, McIlroy was asked whether he would prefer to eke out victory or run away from the field over the weekend.

"What do you think?," McIlroy said while laughing in his reply. 

"I've built up a nice cushion at this point. I guess my mindset is just trying to keep playing well and keeping my foot on the gas."

But after suffering from the weight of expectation as he sought to complete a career Grand Slam at Augusta over the last decade, McIlroy looked extremely relaxed on the course.

"I've always loved this tournament, I've always loved this golf course, even when I felt like it didn't love me back," McIlroy said. 

"It's such a pleasure to be here. It's a unique tournament, there's nothing else like this that we play.

"And I so desperately wanted to win here just so I could come back each and every year, and thankfully I was able to do that last year.

"Doing that, when I miss fairways, it's fine. When I miss greens, it's fine. I feel like I'm sort of playing with the house's money, which is a nice feeling to have."

However, McIlroy will not feel his lead is unassailable just yet. Sam Burns and former Masters champion Patrick Reed are tied for second after respective rounds of 71 and 69. 

Ryder Cup team-mates Rose, Tommy Fleetwood and Shane Lowry are one shot further back in a share of fourth, with Tyrrell Hatton joint-seventh on four under. 

There were, however, some notable early exits after the second round, with Bryson DeChambeau missing the cut after a triple bogey on the final hole to card a two-over 72.