World number one Scottie Scheffler and Northern Ireland’s Rory McIlroy are in touch with leader Davis Thompson at the halfway stage of the Genesis International in San Diego.

American Scheffler hit a five-under 67 to lie one shot behind Thompson, who birdied the final hole as he signed for a 66 to set the pace on eight under.

McIlroy also shot a 67, with five birdies in eight holes from the third moving him into contention at Torrey Pines.

But the Northern Irishman followed that with bogeys at the 12th and 14th before picking up shots at the 15th and the 17th. He was unable to take advantage of the par-five 18th and is three shots off the lead.

“I hit a lot of really good shots. I played well for the most part. I scrambled well,” said the 35-year-old.

“I just didn’t take advantage of the par fives. I made up for it in other places, which was nice. But I know going into the weekend I’m going to have to play the par fives better.”

Scheffler, who won last year’s Masters, hit only five fairways on Friday and also knows he will have to do better to challenge over the weekend.

“I’m definitely going to try to be in the fairway a bit more,” he said.

“I felt I survived without driving the ball very well and I’m going to need to drive it better over the last couple of days.”

Thompson, 25, claimed his first PGA Tour win last year and had six birdies in his first 13 holes before dropping shots at his next two holes.

However, he recovered with a birdie at 16 and then a short-range putt at the last ensured he finished on a high.

The Genesis is usually held at Riviera Country Club but was relocated to Torrey Pines because of the Los Angeles wildfires.