Leaderboard
- -12 McIlroy (F)
- -6 Burns (F), Reed (F)
- -5 Rose (F), Lowry (F), Fleetwood (F)
- Other Irish: +7 McKibbin (F)
McIlroy’s chip-in birdie at the 17th:
Here is Philip Reid’s report on one of the great Fridays at Augusta:
“McIlroy was imperious, as a late charge of birdie-birdie-par-birdie-birdie-birdie-birdie from the 12th to 18th created one of the most remarkable runs in Masters history – the roars working through the towering Cathedral Pines to every section of the property – to make a dominant move, even if his driver was at times wayward but his creativity and shot-making making up for any such shortcomings."
The stats behind McIlroy’s performance at the 2026 Masters so far:
- No player has led by six shots after 36 holes before.
- It was his fourth career Masters round of 65 or better, in a tie with Jack Nicklaus for most ever.
- McIlroy’s round of 65 is the lowest shot by a defending champion.
- He is on course to become the fourth player to defend the Masters after Jack Nicklaus, Nick Faldo and Tiger Woods, the first since 2002.
That’s all from me, David Gorman, for tonight. Back tomorrow to see if Rory can keep or even extend his lead. Good night!
Rory McIlroy on Sky Sports:
“I’ve always loved this tournament, I’ve always love this golf course when I felt it didn’t love me back. It’s such a pleasure to be here, it’s a unique tournament, there’s nothing like this that we play. I so desperately wanted to win here so I could come back each and every year. When I miss fairways it’s fine, when I miss greens it’s fine. I feel like I’m sort of playing with the house’s money, which is a nice feeling to have.
“I did a good job, I hit more fairways today than I did yesterday. Making good decisions, the way the course is playing you have to think yourself around, create these angles, third shots into par 5s, stuff like that. Thinking well, making good decisions, put one foot in front of the other. Hopefully over the weekend, everything works out.”
Birdie for McIlroy! Wow, it’s a 65, he’s six shots clear at the halfway stage. The largest 36-hole lead in Masters history.
Some of the number from the round:
Nine (!) birdies, four birdies in a row to finish. Six birdies in his last seven holes. 31 on the back nine. Ties his best ever score at Augusta.
The largest 36-hole lead is five shots, which Rory is currently ahead, most recently Jordan Spieth in 2015. Harry Cooper is the only player not to win in 1936. Poor Harry, in only the third ever Masters, shot a 76 on the final day to be pipped by one by Horton Smith, who shot a 72.
This could all be futile, because McIlroy (-11) could be six ahead! Another great approach into 18 for a birdie chance.
This is historic stuff by McIlroy (-11), five birdies in six holes, eight birdies on the day. We’ll get a clip of that when we can. Is he going to run away with this? Another great drive at the 18th.
Take a look at this:
Birdie for McIlroy! Wow, wow, wow... he’s chipped in from off the green. A sensational moment! To go to -11. True greatness on show at Augusta this afternoon. He leads by five.
McIlroy (-10) from the trees on 17, he punches it and it goes right of the green and just keeps going, finishes under someone’s chair I think, not for the first time today.
Poor drive by McIlroy (-10) on the 17th, he’s into the left trees.
Wow, DeChambeau (+3) with another bunker meltdown to likely miss the cut. He fails to get out of the greenside bunker, then his second attempts goes the wrong side of the slope and goes off the green. Doesn’t chip it in, so he’s looking at least a double bogey to miss the cut. Ouch.
Birdie for McIlroy! As expected, he holes out from close range. That’s four birdies in five holes. Seven birdies for the day through 16 holes. He’s got a four-shot lead, great stuff.
Shane Lowry on Sky Sports:
“I felt in control of my game the whole day. I’m happy any day you go bogey-free here, it’s a really good day. Obviously I birdied the first and then parred every hole up to the 16th, but I was hitting good shots, you just have to be patient there.”
Another cracker by McIlroy! Hits an iron up to the middle of the green and then it feeds down to the hole to a couple of feet for yet another birdie chance to get to -10.
Bogey by Reed! He fails to get up and down, McIlroy could go four ahead here.
It’s a round of 69 for Reed, three under on the day, six under for the tournament. Still very dangerous over the weekend.
Birdie for McIlroy! He extends his lead another excellent putt at the 15th and it’s three birdies in four holes to get to -9.
Meanwhile, it’s four birdies in a row for Cameron Young! What a run to get to -4.
Bogey for Fleetwood (-5) at the last, didn’t really hit a good shot on the hole and can’t complain. Still a good round of 68 on Friday.
Reed (-7) hit his shot to the right on the 18th and then had to punch one under the trees. His approach goes short, but given his short game expertise you’d expect he’ll get that one up and down.
Not his best chip ever though, a tester is left.
Another tasty wedge by McIlroy (-8) into a par 5 at the 15th and another birdie chance. Gets the spin and back to within five or six feet for another birdie to extend his lead.
Birdie for Lowry! Excellent bogey-free round for Shane with a birdie at the last to top it off. He’s up to -5.
A 69 for Shane Lowry in round two. Superb work on Friday by the Offalyman.
The good news for Lowry is the last six winners have been in the top 6 after round 2, Lowry moved into tied 5th with that birdie at the last.
Birdie for Reed! Rolls it in with not a worry in the world, and moves within one.
Fitzpatrick (E) nearly holes out from the tee at the 16th, lots of chances to move up the leaderboard now late on with no wind.
Reed (-6) hits a great shot at the 17th, a low draw into about 10 feet for birdie. McIlroy’s (-8) drive on the 15th, as it has been on most of the par 5s, is very wayward and he will likely have to lay up again.
Lowry (-4) hit a great drive down the middle at the last and his iron is straight over the pin, then it spins back to a good birdie chance.
Great lag putt by McIlroy (-8), straight up to the hole, a safe par in the bag. Young (-3) makes another birdie, what a recovery from his bad start.
Birdie for Burns! Finishes -6, three birdies in his last four holes.
Lowry (-4) misses the birdie putt sadly, that’s an annoying miss, he’s disappointed with that.
Poor wedge by McIlroy (-8) at 14, goes the wrong side of the slope and goes a long way away, leaving himself a long lag putt.
Majestic iron by Lowry (-4) at 17, lands on the right part of the green and rolls up to a good birdie chance. He’s sucking diesel now. He needs to if he wants to keep up with McIlroy (-8), who has hit another great drive at the 14th.
Birdie for McIlroy! He goes two clear again, a fanastic left to right putt, gave it enough slope and in the door to go -8.
Nice approach by Burns (-5) at the last, chance to post 71 and six under, resilient return after falling to 3 under at one point.
Great wedge by Rory! Perfect distance control to the middle of the green and feeding it in to eight feet or so.
Eagle for Fleetwood! His second of the day, great putt and well deserved after two great shots into the par 5. He’s up to -6.
Birdie for Lowry! It’s all kicking off for the Europeans as he breaks his par streak at the right time on 16 with a great putt to go four under.
The spirit of Tiger lives on as Day (-5) hits a bunker shot using the slope to put it stone dead at the 16th, almost holing it.
Reed’s (-6) third shot at 15 spins back towards the water but just about stays on the green, while Young (-1) is also lucky to avoid the water with his second shot at 13, just staying on the slope heading for the creek.
McIlroy (-7) dunts it out low to lay up on 13, as his rival Reed hits a great shot from the trees after his bad drive to lay up well.
Lowry (-3) hits a nice shot at the 16th and has a decent chance for a birdie. He’s laughing away with the caddie, which is a good sign.
Birdie for Burns on 17, that’s two in three holes to get back to -5. Meanwhile, a stunning shot with a fairway wood by Fleetwood (-4) on 15 to set up an eagle chance.
Bogey at the last for Reitan but still a 68 on the day and -4 for the tournament, impressive round for the debutant from Norway.
Here was McIlroy’s birdie at 12:
McIlroy (-7) for the second day in a row has hit it into the trees and pine straw at the 13th with his drive. Reed (-4) misses the chance to join him in the lead at 14. just missing the birdie putt.
Lowry (-3) has, you guessed it, parred again at 15. That’s 14 in a row.
Wow, Reed (-6) duck hooks off the tee on 15, horrible drive, not sure where it finished up but not good.
Cameron Young (-1) the furthest away of the group on 12, but not too far away, knocks in the birdie first. Considering he started with four over for his first nine, he has played as well as anyone since then.
Birdie for McIlroy! He is back in the lead on -7 as he knocks in the putt no problem.
Wow, the young amateur Mason Howell nearly aced the 12th hole, the ball landed a few inches from the hole. He is +9 but a good memory for him.
They showed on TV that the 12th was watered this morning and it has made it play considerably easier. McIlroy (-6) has taken a more aggressive line like Howell and is close too, seven or eight feet for birdie.
It’s 13 pars in a row for Lowry (-3). Not getting much TV coverage due to not making any birdies but he hit a very good shot from the trees on 14 to curve it onto the green and after leaving the first putt short, ended up making a good par to keep the run going.
It’s a par for McIlroy (-6) too, a great effort on the 11th but just comes up short.
Birdie for Day! He moves within one at -5. Meanwhile Reed (-6) misses a great chance to take the lead at 13 from within 10 feet.
A 359-yard drive by McIlroy (-6) on the 11th, he doesn’t love it but he’s on the middle of the green, that’s fine.
The man in the zone this evening:
Bogey for McIlroy! Good bunker shot but he misses one of his first from that five or six foot range and he’s back to a tie for the lead with Reed on -6.
A great approach by Day (-4) gives him a chance to move within one shot on the 14th.
Birdie for Reed! He moves within one of McIlroy and into second place on his own on -6. Great tee shot at 12, attacking line at the pin and then makes a putt up the hill.
Birdie for Reitan too, he moves into tied 3rd on -5 with a birdie at 15.
McIlroy (-7) is in the bunker on the right at the 10th, started his approach right and it didn’t turn back for him. No birdie for Lowry at 13, that’s 12 pars in a row then.
Fleetwood (-4) is being very aggressive with his putts, which is a good sign, and he nearly makes another birdie at the 12th.
Lowry (-3) decides to lay up at the 13th, leaving himself 79 yards. Can’t blame him after pitching into the hole yesterday for eagle. Not as good today, he’s disappointed with that one, but an outside chance for birdie.
Another up and down for Reed (-5) at 11, he’s got an incredible short game, every hole he’s hitting great spinny chips to stone dead and when he doesn’t, it’s seven or eight footers right in the heart of the hole.
Lowry (-3) has now had 11 pars in a row. A great drive on the fairway of the 13th, so maybe a chance to get his second birdie of the day on the par 5.
Only 99 yards for McIlroy (-7) with his approach, looked good and maybe a yard too far and it just stayed at the top of the hill, tricky downhiller coming up on the 9th.
Bogey for Burns (-3) at the 13th, going in the wrong direction. He hit a bad drive, hooked into the trees and into the creek there, had a chance for par but missed the putt.
Birdie for Schauffele takes his place in the top 10, at 4 under.
McIlroy well down with a long drive on the 9th fairway. A fun fact that he has the best overall score of anyone in Masters history on the 9th. He is -8 over his 63 rounds, the only hole where he is all-time leader.
Norweigan golfer Krisoffer Reitan is on a great run and he’s up to -4 after three birdies in a row.
Oh what a putt Rory, McIlroy (-7) from the back of the green hits a fantastic lag that looked like it was going to fall in from way out, but just inches away. He’ll take the par 5 though after being out of position.
McIlroy (-7) gets it a little heavy at the eighth and has a long approach for his third into the par 5. Some 179 yards up the hill, he lets hand go but holds the finish, at the back of the green, needs to lag up for par.
Lowry (-3) has hit an excellent shot on the 11th to make the green in two and is sticking in it, being patient. Could make it 10 pars in a row.
Birdie for Fleetwood (-4) on 10, he’s had a clinic of ball-striking today and finally getting a few putts to fall.
McIlroy (-7) is straight into the bunker at the 8th, got a little ragged the past few holes.
Some players making progress today down the field still on the course - Reitan (-3), Bhatia (-2), Dustin Johnson (-1), Cameron Young (-1).
Some players that are set to miss the cut - Spaun (+5), Smith (+5), MacIntyre (+7). Tom McKibbin will miss it too at +7.
Great bunker shot by McIlroy to close and should make a sand save at 7. Lowry meanwhile pars the 10th and has had nine straight pars. Reed (-5) misses a great chance at the 9th to move into second place on his own, just dies at the hole.
A 74 for the world number one and two-time Masters champion Scheffler (E), surprisingly goes backwards today and a lot of work to do to catch up. The last six winners were in the top 6 after round two.
A poor wedge shot again by McIlroy (-7) on 7, he shakes his head and looks aggrieved, into the front bunker.
Bogey for Burns (-4) at 11, takes three from the edge of green and a rare miss for a good putter from five or six feet.
Great drive by McIlroy on the 7th, a fairway he struggles to hit with usually but right in prime position here. Meanwhile, a lovely slinging hook by Day (-5) at the 10th hole into an ideal position.
A complete misread for McIlroy with the putt, 14 feet down the hill, well wide and still has work left for par.
Sensational approaches by Haotong Li at 14 and 16, both within tap-in distance gets him in the conversation at -4.
Eagle for Fleetwood! Big putt up the hill to get up to -3, can that ignite his tournament? Day gets his birdie to go tied second on -5.
Jason Day (-4) is playing some nice golf, he birdied the eighth and has a good chance at the ninth. He has a good record at Augusta over the years, and almost won in 2011 when McIlroy had his unfortunate collapse, pipped at the end by Charl Schwartzel birdieing the 18th.
McIlroy’s irons have been mostly brilliant today and he’s hit another high one that stops softly on the green at the par 3 6th to set up another birdie chance, good recovery after the 5th.
That’s seven pars in a row for Lowry after two-putting the eighth, not much to shout about, but staying patient and now within four of the lead after McIlroy’s bogey.
Justin Rose finishes with a three-under 69 on day two. He’s -5 for the tournament and not impossible that he would be in the final group with McIlroy tomorrow. Same score for Koepka, who moves into the top 10 on -3.
He’s withing two of McIlroy now as it’s bogey for McIlroy. Poor mistake really with the wedge shot and couldn’t rescue it. Kills the momentum a bit. Back to -7.
Another bomb from McIlroy (-8) at the 5th off the tee and a wedge into the tough par 4 and his worst shot of the day. Missed the green entirely, he looks a bit perplexed. But it’s on the right level so it is possible to get up and down there. Slightly clumsy chip leaves himself seven or eight feet left for par.
Scheffler bogeyed the 15th after going in the water and is back to even par. Starting the day three ahead of Scheffler, McIlroy is now eight ahead of the world number one.
If we’ve learnt anything from watching McIlroy over the years, it’s never count your chickens before they’ve hatched, but he’s playing relaxed, free-flowing golf, with his putter in fine fettle.
After the Irish Open last year, where his putting won him the tournament including that famous eagle at the final hole, he explained to me his new thought processes for putting.
“Working with Fax, he helped me find the style of putter I found, the [TaylorMade] Spider Mallet putter, it definitely helps me be a little more consistent. And with Fax I keep it really simple, only a couple of thoughts,” McIlroy said.
“Sometimes we will meet at the Bears Club in Florida. It is supposed to be for a putting lesson and we don’t even hit any putts. We will talk about putting over a coffee, we talk about mindset, we will talk about routine.
“For me it’s about keeping my right arm soft. It’s about keeping the putter level through impact and picking my spot a couple feet in front of me, lining up to that.
“When you get under pressure and your routine is dialed in, it sort of makes everything a little bit better and makes everything a bit easier.”
[ Rory McIlroy learns from past woes to find putting nirvana at the K ClubOpens in new window ]
Birdie for McIlroy! Can you believe it, he’s holed another one. He leads by three shots, three birdies in a row! He’s -8
Rose isn’t giving up, holes a big putt up the hill for par, with a big reaction for the crowd and a smile. That was important.
Bogey for Hatton! It’s just a 66 after a three-putt bogey at the 18th. Annoying way to finish a great round, but still a superb score, he’s at -4 for the tournament.
Another fantastic iron by McIlroy (-7) at the 4th, straight at the pin, bouncing on the downslope and looked like it might come back down the slope but stays at the top of the hill. Not too far away though.
Lowry (-3) has had five pars in a row, and got a bit of luck at the 7th, hitting a tree and bouncing back onto the fairway.
Scheffler (-1) hits it into water over the back at 15, after going in the water at 13 too. Unlike him, but he’s moving out of contention.
Birdie for McIlroy! Straight in the middle and moves two clear at -7.
Not the best approach by Hatton (-5) at the 18th, at the top of the hill, long downhill putt left. But he achieves something rare at Augusta, hitting all 18 greens on Friday. Rose (-5) hits a poor drive on 17 into the trees on the right.
Rose (-5) had a club too many on the 16th but lags it up for par. Koepka could have joined the -4s but
Big birdie chance again for McIlroy (-6)! A great drive up to chipping distance at the third, then a nice chip uses the full slope to feed into almost gimme range.
Here is McIlroy’s birdie at the second hole:
Another par for Lowry on the 5th, excellent lag putt up the hill and another hole safely through on the front 9. Hatton (-5) watches his putt at the 17th fall just short. Burns holes a good one at the 7th to move to -5.
Birdie for McIlroy! He moves into the lead on his own, firm and confident putt into the back of the hole. He’s -6.
To round off the birdies, Rose with an excellent chip on the 15th to close and an easy birdie to move to one behind at -5.
Another great shot by Hatton (-5), he is unstoppable form, pin high at the 17th. Two birdies would tie the course record of 63. It’s not playing easy either.
McIlroy then with 134 yards into the par 5 with his third shot and hits a beautiful towering wedge to spin back to seven or eight feet. Downhill though so hard to go at it, but a chance to go to -6.
Rahm (+5) has given himself a chance to make the cut with a fine approach to 16, only five feet for birdie. Cut is currently at +4.
McIlroy has company at the top, the high-flying Hatton reaches -5 with a birdie at the 16th, he’s seven under for the day. Reed also birdies the third to move within one on four under.
Another par for Lowry, but he’ll be happy to take one at the fourth and he stays at -3.
McIlroy hit it in the bunker off the tee on the 2nd and has to lay up at the par 5.
McIlroy (-5) cosies it down for an opening par, nice first putt of the day. He is the solo leader now, although Hatton (-4) has a chance to join him on the 16th after another good iron approach.
Another superb approach by Rose on 14, he has a chance to get back to -5, as Burns (-5) has work to do to make his par again on the 5th. Can’t save par this time, and drops out of the lead.
Birdie for Hatton meanwhile at the par 5 15th after his wedge threatened the hole to get to -4. Six under on the day, incredible round going.
McIlroy only had 107 yards but he was a bit too far right to go at the pin, with trees in the way. Hits it to the middle of the green.
“Now driving, Rory McIlroy,” says the announcer as the defending champion looks composed and hits a massive drive, carrying the bunkers on the right of the first hole.
Par for Lowry at the third, a steady start as he heads to the fourth hole he four-putted and double bogeyed yesterday.
Rory McIlroy heads to the first tee. Can he follow up yesterday’s round with another round in the 60s?
Just a par for Rose at the 13th after a lay-up short of the water and a decent approach but the putt just misses.
Burns (-5) hits it into the bunker at the 4th and misses the slope to bring it down towards the hole, he’s staring at a bogey you’d think, which would make McIlroy solo leader before he tees off.
Nope, he gets it, Burns stays at -5 with an excellent putt.
Rose (-4) pushes his tee shot into the trees on the 13th into the trees and pine straw. Good approach by Hatton (-3) at the 14th gives him another birdie chance.
Par for Lowry (-3) at the 2nd, great effort for birdie coming down the slope, but just a foot short, easy par.
Birdie for Koepka (-2) at the 12th and he moves within three of the lead, playing some nice golf recently, getting back close to the form that won five Major championships.
Bogey for Rose! Got away with his tee shot but misses a five footer for par, he’ll drop out of the lead.
Lowry layed up short at the par 5 2nd, from about 90 yards he hits a decent approach above the hole, fast putt left.
McIlroy is interviewed by Amanda Ballonis on the range and he says that Jack Nicklaus told him before he went out to have “no effing double bogeys”. Which he managed in his opening round of 67.
Birdie for Scheffler! Fantastic iron approach at the 10th to four or five feet and he’s back to where he started at -2.
When it’s going your way... Rose (-5) hits it over the green at the 12th and it bounces back from the bushes, hits a rake and comes back to just off the green.
A few birdies to report, first of all:
Birdie for Lowry! He holes for birdie at the first again, second day in a row. Excellent start to get to -3
Birdie for Rose! He holes from four feet to birdie 9, 10 and 11, not many will do that this week. He’s tied McIlroy and Burns in the lead.
Another cracker by Rose (-4)! He’s in Ryder Cup mode now, firing at pins, straight down the middle at the 11th and another approach to within 5 or 6 feet.
Last two holes for Rose, 159 yards to 3 feet at 10, 193 yards to 4 feet at 11.
Good approach by Lowry at the 1st, 140 yards to 10 feet or so, birdie chance at the first to start like he did yesterday.
Some favoured players that will be going home - Min Woo Lee is +10, MacIntyre is battling but at +7 he has some work to do. Jon Rahm has given himself a fighting chance at +5, he’s one under for the day. DeChambeau starts his second round in 15 minutes, and another round of 76 won’t do for sure.
Shane Lowry (-2) is under way off the first with a good drive down the middle.
Hatton is carrying the LIV charge and has hit it close at 12 again, then holes for birdie! He’s up to -3 and within two, five under for the day with a few par 5s to come.
Rose gets the birdie at 10, that’s three birdies in four holes to get to -4.
The leader Sam Burns (-5) is under way with a par at the first.
Another excellent approach by Justin Rose (-3)! Mid-iron to about three feet below the hole at the 10th and could move within one of the lead.
Leader McIlroy is heading to the range, he’s out in about an hour. Shane Lowry will be heading to the first tee, he is out in 10 minutes.
Tom McKibbin signs for a four-over 76 and he won’t make the cut at +7. A learning experience for him in his first time at Augusta. Bogey-double bogey start was killer today, solid enough after that but too much to do.
Wyndham Clark (-4) meanwhile has finished four-under for his round and four under for the tournament, a fine round of 68 that could be one of the best rounds of the day when all it said and done.
Thanks John, David Gorman logging on to see Justin Rose birdie the ninth hole and get to -3 after a solid front nine. Last year’s runner-up isn’t going to go out without a fight this week and he’s placed himself well to be in the conversation by Sunday.
Scheffler (E) had a poor enough start today but a perfectly played two shots on the par 5 eighth to set up an eagle chance from about 15 feet. It slips past the edge, but it’s a birdie and he’s back under par.
Thank you all for your company. David’s about to take things up a notch and hopefully watch two Irish players enhance their Masters chances over the next five hours or so.
It’s edging closer to Shane Lowry’s tee time. He’s off in a little over half an hour to begin his second round. The ambient temperature is up, the greens will be fiery. Someone else who is nearly ready to go is David Gorman. He’s just completing the last few stretches and will keeping you all informed and entertained, charting the progress of Lowry and defending champion Rory McIlroy.
Clark (-4) with another birdie on 16, two in succession after a glorious tee shot to the par three 16th.
Rose (-2) slaps his thigh in frustration as he watches his birdie putt on eight slide over the edge. Spieth (-1) leaves a five foot putt, a foot short. MacIntyre (+7) with his third birdie in the last seven holes following a double bogey at the first. Koepka (-2) makes birdie at the eighth.
Hatton (-2) takes just 32 strokes to the turn, four under for his round and just three back. Clark (-3) makes a birdie on 15. McKibbin (+7) bogeys 16. His race might be run in terms of the weekend.
The cut mark at the moment is three over par. It might go out to four or five. McKibbin (+6) could make the weekend with one or two birdies in the last three holes.
Another bogey for Scheffler (level) this time on the fifth after a scruffy first putt that came up five and a half feet short.
Rai (-1) bogeys nine. Finally Rose (-2) gets something to go his way holing a 20-foot birdie putt on seven. Koepka (-1) gives a shot back on seven after finding sand with his approach.
Hatton (-1) dips into red figures with his third birdie in seven holes and with the par five eighth to come. Clark (-2) three-putts the par five, 13th having hit the green in two.
Those missed chances for Scheffler (-1) will hurt a little more now. He missed the green on the par three, fourth, found sand and then watched his par putt slide by the right edge of the hole for bogey.
Back to back birdies for MacIntyre (+8) as he returns to the number the started the day on after the double at the par five, second.
Rai (-2) with a birdie on the par five, eighth. The Englishman is hanging tough.
Koepka (-2) on the charge with his third birdie in four holes after dropping a shot at the first. Pours in a 15-foot putt.
Scheffler (-2) had birdies chances on the second and third but can’t avail of either opportunity. Woodland (level) gets a shot back on three. MacIntyre (+9) picks up a birdie on three.
Rahm (+4) went birdie free yesterday but has picked up two shots in the first five holes today.
Hatton (level) lips out for a third birdie in five holes. Woodland (+1) makes a double on the par five, second. He whiffed his second shot way right, didn’t have a shot to make the green through the trees, chunked the next into a bunker and then took two putts. Rose (-1) watches his birdie put from seven feet drift past the hole.
Clark (-2) makes his first bogey of the round on the treacherous par four, 10th.
Brooks Koepka (-1) made up for a bogey on the first with two quick birdies at two and three.
Scheffler (-2) and Gary Woodland (-1) had a decent look at birdie at the first but neither could convert. It’s probably taking all of what’s left of MacIntyre’s (+10) self control not to eat the grip on his putter. He found the greenside bunker in two and has ended up with a double bogey.
Corey Connors (+2), birdies three, Tyrell Hatton (level) is off to a flier picking up shots on two and three while Rahm (+5) claws one back on the second. Clark (-3) reaches the turn, just two behind the leaders.
Rose (-1) three-putted the first for bogey. Too much left arm rotation perhaps.
You could sell anything to a golfer!
Fore please. The two-time Masters champion and world number one Scottie Scheffler is about to tee off for round two. So too Bob MacIntyre. Can we have an under/over on swear words?
Former Masters’ champions Jordan Spieth (-1) birdies the first, Sergio Garcia (+1) bogeys the third.
Clark (-3) doesn’t manage to pick up anything at the par five eighth.
Jon Rahm (+6) starts with a par.
McKibbin (+7) makes a welcome birdie on the par five, eighth. There are very few players under par for their second rounds, Clarke (-3) a noteworthy exception.
Scottie will be teeing off shortly.
Jacob Bridgeman (-1) on his Masters’ debut has picked up an early birdie. Earlier this year, he earned his first career PGA Tour win in Los Angeles and finished T-4 in Honolulu, T-5 in the Players Championship and T-8 in Pebble Beach.
England’s Aaron Rai (-2) is making his second Masters start. In November, he won in Abu Dhabi to earn his third career DP World Tour win and add to his victories in the 2018 Hong Kong Open and 2020 Scottish Open. Other high finishes in 2025 included T-3 in the DP World Tour’s flagship event in England, T-4 in the Mexico Open and T-5 in Greensboro.
He’s birdied the par five, second to move to three behind the leaders.
McKibbin (+8) has dropped a further two shots at four and five. That’s five shots gone in his six holes.
Clark (-3) makes it three birdies in four holes. The American is two behind McIlroy and Burns.
Wyndham Clark (-2), the 2023 US Open champion has started with a bang, two birdies in the first three holes.
McKibbin (+6) suffered a horror show on the par five, second, making a double bogey after striping his drive 326 yards down the centre of the fairway. There was definitely a penalty drop in there somewhere.
We like to call this section, THEY SAID IT.
Rory McIlroy, On How He Felt About His First Round
“I’ll probably go to the Champions Locker Room right now and have a little drink, put my Green Jacket on and then call it a day.”
Such is life when you are the defending Masters champion and open with 5-under 67.
Sam Burns, On His Play on the Par 5s
“I think, historically, people who have success here play the par 5s really well, and we were able to do that today. So it’s a good recipe around this golf course.”
Burns eagled the second and birdied Nos. 8, 13 and 15 on his way to a 5-under 67.
Jack Nicklaus, On Being an Honorary Starter
“It’s such a nice ceremony, and it’s a real honor to be invited. I hope to be able to do it as long as I can.”
Nicklaus was joined on the first tee by Gary Player and Tom Watson to officially open the 2026 Masters.
Justin Rose, On Leader Board Watching
“I think the lead at this point is irrelevant. I think there’s so much golf ahead.”
For the record, Rose is two behind McIlroy and Burns.
Shane Lowry, On His Eagle at No. 13
“To be honest, it’s been a number that I’m not overly comfortable with – or I haven’t been. I did work on it a lot over the last two weeks. It was nice to pull it off.”
Lowry laid up to 99 yards on the risk-reward par-5, then holed a wedge.
Jose Maria Olazabal, On His Hot Start
“Everybody was in shock.”
Olazabal played his way onto the leader board early in the day, going 2-under through 14 holes. He finished with a 2-over 74.
Xander Schauffele, On Hitting a Ball Into a Patron Shopping Bag
“It just flew straight into the bag. It was a great break. That bounce would’ve put me in the pine straw and who knows if I would’ve had a shot to hit up the hill. So thanks to the lady on No. 8.”
Schauffele’s ball had to be dug out of the patron’s bag. He made par on No. 8 on his way to 2-under 70.
Mason Howell, On Playing With Rory McIlroy
“I definitely could learn a lot from how he played today. When he was in trouble, he took his medicine. Then he was able to go up there and make a lot of putts.”
McIlroy, the defending champion, opened with 5-under 67; Howell shot 5-over 77.
Collin Morikawa, On His Ailing Back
“Honestly, it’s probably the toughest round I’ve ever played. I don’t think I’ve been able to get comfortable out there and trust the entire body. It’s not painful, but it’s not easy. I think walking has been the hardest part.”
Morikawa, who withdrew from The Players Championship last month after one hole because of a back injury he sustained while taking a practice swing, posted a 2-over 74.
Jon Rahm, On a Tough Start
“Tomorrow is a new day.”
Rahm, the 2023 champion, opened with 6-over 78, his highest score in 37 rounds at the Masters.
Only because you asked nicely.
Tom McKibbin (+4) has bogeyed the first. We will keep on eye on his progress. No of the early starters are upwardly mobile at this point.
Now if you thought Bryson was a little chippy, Bob MacIntyre responded with ‘hold my coat,’ for much of his round. He was incandescent at times, burying a club in a fairway in frustration, de-greening a putt and introducing a few new swear words to the Augusta patrons. He’ll be mad at himself for letting his frustration get the better of him but let’s keep things in perspective. he’s hardly the first person to utter an expletive on a golf course. Let he who has not sinned cast the first stone.
McIntyre had given an interview to Martin Dempster of the Scotsman in the build-up to the Masters unapologetic in tone, as he was picked up on a mic swearing during last week’s Valero Texas Open. He said: “I know I am volatile and I know the bad language and stuff, but that’s just me, ahead of his fourth appearance at the Georgia venue.
MacIntyre added: “Even having a little one myself and knowing there are little ones around, I’m not going to change.” He certainly stayed true to his word.
Bryson DeChambeau (76) wasn’t at his effusive best in the post round chat.
Rory gets to do his interviews indoors. A champion’s prerogative.
There you were minding your own business having a snack and a beer only for..........
Here is another view of the conditions. World number one Scottie Scheffler.
Shane Lowry on the conditions.
Here is one is Xander’s supporters Paul McGinley.
Everyone was talking about with the anticipated weather the course is going to get more fiery day by day.
We’ll start gently with a little look back and the sights and sounds of yesterday. And some trivia.
Hello and welcome to the Masters. John O’Sullivan here and along with David Gorman later we’ll be taking you through all the action from Augusta National. Day one went very well from an Irish perspective. Rory McIlroy, the defending champion, shot a five under, 67 but that doesn’t convey the full extent of an eventful round.
He spent a fair amount of time walking from the teeing ground into the Augusta pine trees, and by the end of his round, provided several feats of escapology that might have had Harry Houdini scratching his head. Seve Ballesteros would have been impressed. And he was a man who knew about playing from the trees.
Shane Lowry started at a gallop, strained a fetlock on the two par threes on the front nine, where he coughed up three shots, accelerated again at the turn, holed a wedge for eagle on the 13th, before eventually signing for a colourful, two under regulation figures, 70.
Tom McKibbin lost his way a little down the stretch, three bogeys in the last four holes, saw him sign for a 75. He’s out early and will be the focal point of our early coverage.
Sam Burns (67) is joint leader alongside McIlroy, Kurt Kitayama and Australian Major winner Jason Day are two back while there’s several green jackets on two under, including world number one Scottie Scheffler and Patrick Reed and Major champions in Justin Rose, beaten here in a playoff last year and Xander Schauffele, many people’s pre-tournament fancy.
The two friends obliged on an opening round of this 90th Masters in near ideal conditions: Rory McIlroy, the defender, and Shane Lowry, one of the pretenders to his throne, walked the pristine fairways – with the occasional diversion into the towering Cathedral Pines and their bed of needles – with some aplomb in navigating their respective routes to the business part of the leaderboard.
Philip Reid reports from Augusta.
Defending champion Rory McIlroy will start day two of The Masters in a tie for the lead with Sam Burns after an opening round of five under par (67).
Shane Lowry sits alongside Scottie Scheffler at two under with a cast of other contenders within touching distance.
