Brooks Koepka took advantage of ideal morning scoring conditions to put the LIV Golf flag three shots clear at the top of the Masters' second-round leaderboard on Friday, before ferocious storms roared across Augusta National to end play early.

Koepka, who shared the overnight lead with Norway's Viktor Hovland and Spain's Jon Rahm, returned a spotless five-under 67 to set a 12-under target for the afternoon wave that headed out under menacing skies.

Augusta National said play would resume on Saturday at 8 a.m. ET (1200 GMT) with 39 players completing their second rounds and will then be followed by third round action.

Heavy rains

The forecast for Saturday, however, is not promising with calls for heavy rains and cold temperatures.

Koepka did all his damage on Augusta National's four par-five holes, recording three birdies and an eagle while taking a single bogey through two rounds.

World number three Rahm, winner of three events already this season, was always expected to contend at the year's first major, Koepka was not.

INJURY WOES

But the four-time major winner, who is fit again after suffering a number of injury woes, has emerged as the leader of the LIV Golf contingent.

"I just take it one shot at a time, one hole at a time, whatever I got in front of me," said Koepka. "I'm just interested in the shot I'm looking to hit at that current moment.

"It's just up to me whether I play good or not. Simple."

As Koepka was putting the finishing touches on his round, five-time Masters champion Tiger Woods was teeing off.

Sliding down the leaderboard

McIlroy started the day at level par but back-to-back bogeys at two and three and again at six and seven sent him sliding down the leaderboard.

After another bogey at the 11th, the world number two would fight back with a pair of birdies but would give those back with bogeys at 16 and 18 to bring an end to a miserable day.

World number one Scottie Scheffler's hopes of becoming the first repeat winner since Woods in 2001-02 also took a hit after he carded three-over 75 to leave him 11 shots back of the leader.