A second round of 69 was enough to ensure Shane Lowry made the cut for the weekend at the RBC Heritage in South Carolina but Seamus Power bowed out after a 72.
The Offaly man had carded a 70 in Thursday's opening round but went one better a day later to move up to three under, two shots inside the cut mark.
However, Seamus Power won't be involved in the third round onwards despite a solid 72, with the Waterford native's first-round 77 ultimately proving costly.
Jimmy Walker leads the way heading into the weekend with a second consecutive 65 that leaves him on 12 under, three shots clear of the trio of Justin Rose (67), world number two Scottie Scheffler (65) and Xander Schauffele (66).
Reigning Masters champion Jon Rahm is tied for 18th on six under after a seven-under 64.
Lowry birdied three of his first six holes, picking up shots on two, five and six with the only blemish on the front nine coming on the par-4 third.
A bogey on 12 was a setback but he rebounded with a birdie on 18.
Meanwhile, a birdie on 10 for Power gave him a good start but three bogeys set him back before he sank a putt on the fifth.
After admitting to feeling tired after his Masters heroics, Rahm found renewed energy to put himself back in contention to add the Heritage's plaid jacket to his new green one from Augusta.
Speaking after his round, he said: "Today overall felt pretty good. I felt like my body was moving properly. Still not as good as I would like to be, but really, really good.
"I keep going back and forth, images of what I did last week to what I have to do this week."
For Walker it was a welcome return to the heat of the battle after a lengthy spell away after being diagnosed with Lyme disease, his return to action bringing eight missed cuts in his last 12 events.
"Since getting sick, mentally and physically I feel different nearly every day and that's been the hardest part," he said. "The things that work on one day, I can't feel it the next day."
Scheffler could return to the number one spot he held before Augusta with victory this week, but despite putting himself into contention with a 65 he said top spot was not in his thoughts.
"You don't really get any shots when the tournament starts, everybody starts at even," he said. "We're all just trying to go out there and do our best.
"With that being said, I like being number one more than number two, but it's not something that occupies my thoughts."
Rose shot a 67 as he stayed in contention on his 400th tour start.
Additional reporting: PA
