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Northern Ireland's Rory McIlroy looks at his shot on the 14th tee during the second round of the 2011 US Open at Congressional Country Club in Bethesda, Maryland, on Friday. [Photo/Agencies]

Northern Irishman in scintillating form at US Open with 6-stroke lead

BETHESDA, Maryland - Rory McIlroy's scintillating form at the US Open, where he has evoked memories of Tiger Woods' brilliant play 11 years ago, left many of his peers shaking their heads in amazement on Friday.

The mop-haired Northern Irishman matched Woods' achievement at the 2000 Open by charging six shots clear after the second round at Congressional where he has posted a tournament record total of 11-under-par 131.

"Everybody would agree he's probably got more talent in his pinky than I have in my whole body," American Brandt Snedeker said after carding a one-under 70 to lie nine shots off the pace.

"He is unbelievably talented. If he keeps playing the way he's playing, we're all playing for second place."

Germany's world No 3 Martin Kaymer agreed.

"Rory is obviously running away with it so we are pretty much playing for second unless something crazy happens tomorrow," Kaymer said after shooting a 70. "Eleven-under after two rounds at the US Open is impressive."

Graeme McDowell, who won last year's US Open at Pebble Beach by one stroke, felt the par-71 Blue Course at Congressional was a perfect fit for his fellow Northern Irishman.

"He probably won't get a better US Open layout that suits him than this," said McDowell after following his opening 70 with a 74.

"You have to drive the ball very well and he's probably one of the best drivers to hit a ball that I've ever seen. We nicknamed him 'BMW' because he is the ultimate driving machine.

"You forget the rest of the field is one or two under par. He's decimated this US Open golf course and this is no easy test. It's an amazing display of golf."

Long tipped as a future world No 1, the 22-year-old McIlroy has carded rounds of 65 and 66 at Congressional where he had not dropped a shot until he double-bogeyed the par-four 18th on Friday.

Making his overall performance even more impressive is the fact he has bounced back from the bitter disappointment of his Masters meltdown in April when he blew a four-shot lead going into the final round.

"He's just playing great, simple as that," said Spaniard Sergio Garcia. "Even if what happened at Augusta would have not happened, it would be nice for him to win. He deserves it, and hopefully he'll be able to do it."

McIlroy became only the fifth player ever to dip 10 below par at the US Open - emulating Americans Gil Morgan, Woods, Jim Furyk and Ricky Barnes. He then surpassed that, becoming the first player to get to 13-under when he sank a 12-footer to birdie the 17th before he faltered with his double-bogey at the last.

"It's crazy, isn't it?" said American world No 4 Steve Stricker. "Pretty incredible what he's done so far."

Reuters