As comfortable as McIlroy looked, in a three-way share of the halfway lead at North Berwick on Friday, Scheffler struggled from the start and wound up with a 72 on Friday (Saturday AEST) to miss the 36-hole cut for the first time in nearly four years. 

He had made 78 cuts in a row, the longest streak since Tiger Woods set the record (142) more than 20 years ago.

"Got off to a poor start and after that, I didn't really it close enough to give myself a bunch of looks," Scheffler said. "That's how you shoot over par."

Jordan Smith of England had the low score of the tournament with a 63 and was the first to post at nine-under 131, joined by the resurgent Tom Kim (66) and McIlroy, who has not won since going back-to-back in the Masters in April.

Former Scottish Open champ Lee led the Australian challenge at the Renaissance Club, with a second consecutive 66 to lie just a shot behind at eight under, alongside English star Matt Fitzpatrick.

"It would have been nice to be a couple better," McIlroy said. "But it's obviously another good day and in good position."

But the most surprising development at The Renaissance Club was Scheffler. Instead of heading to the range after his round, he was making plans to head south earlier than he imagined for his title defence in the British Open at Royal Birkdale.

He had not missed the cut since the 2022 FedEx St. Jude Championship.

In his final start ahead of ‌his title defence at next week's British Open, Scheffler carded a two-over-par 72 that left him at ‌even par on the week in North Berwick and outside the projected cut of two under.

Australian Karl Vilips enjoyed a brilliant 64 that's thrust him up the leaderboard to joint-13th, just three shots off the lead. Cam Davis is four under for the tournament after a 66, while Adam Scott is two under following his second-round 69.