Shane Lowry is also facing an uphill battle after a second-round 72 left the Offaly native one-over-par.
Rory McIlroy remains well off the pace at the FedEx St. Jude Championship after a second-round 70 left the Holywood golfer on four-over-par in Memphis.
The world number three improved on his opening round, with birdies at the third, fourth and tenth, but late bogeys on the 17th and 18th saw him slip further down the leaderboard.
Meanwhile, world number one Scottie Scheffler stormed into the outright lead after carding a brilliant nine-under-par 61 to move to 11-under overall.
Shane Lowry is also facing an uphill battle after a second-round 72 left the Offaly native one-over-par, with a difficult closing stretch dropping him back into the middle of the field.
Tuesday Morning Sports Update
Kildare LGFA Awards U16 Final To Clane After EGM Vote
St Patrick's Athletic Will Keep Hopes Alive Against Derry This Evening
Injury Concerns For Leinster Ahead Of Inter-Pro Against Munster
Monday Morning Sports Update
Sarsfields Set Up Kildare Senior Football Final Meeting With Maynooth After Celbridge Victory
Connacht Shock Saracens In Thrilling Return To Champions Cup
Kildare Duo Shine As Leinster Secure Champions Cup Victory In France
