Tour Championship: Scheffler still leads but Morikawa and Schauffele in hot pursuit

The world number one went into the second round at East Lake with a seven-stroke advantage, courtesy of an opening 65 and a two-shot starting cushion after finishing top of the season-long FedEx rankings.

Two late birdies after a delay for thunderstorms ensured he kept much of his advantage, a 66 taking him to 21-under-par.

"I feel like my swing is in a good spot. I've hit it nice last couple days," Scheffler said.

"Today the putts that did not go in did not — a lot of them did not miss the cup by very much. A lot of quality stuff out there, and I'm in a good spot going into the weekend," he added.

Morikawa also finished strongly as the closing groups resumed their round, finishing with two of his nine birdies in a round of 63 which lifted him to 17-under-par.

"For me, it's just bringing energy and just kind of staying alive out there. I've got a game plan that I've set out, and I'm really going to stick to that, just knowing that we've got two more rounds left of the season," he said.

Open and USPGA champion Schauffele is a further shot back after also grabbing a birdie on the last in a bogey-free 64.

"It was better. It was nice to finish off with two big putts. Pretty dark out, so happy those two went in. Keeps the momentum from what was a pretty good round," he said.

Sahith Theegala, Wyndham Clark and Adam Scott are four shots further back on 12-under-par.

Rory McIlroy is in a tie for 10th on eight-under-par after a second successive 69.