Rory McIlroy Ties for Lead at Masters While Aussie Players Face Challenges at Augusta

Rory McIlroy showcased his experience with a thrilling conclusion to his second round at The Masters.

The reigning champion recorded six birdies in the final seven holes, finishing with a stellar 7-under 65, which granted him a six-shot lead and set a new Masters record for the largest lead at the halfway stage.

The closing hour of an enthralling day began to resemble a celebratory lap.

McIlroy started strongly with three consecutive birdies and found himself engaged in a tight contest with long-time rival Patrick Reed, the 2018 champion who birdied the par-3 12th to level the scores. Just prior to reaching Amen Corner, McIlroy had experienced a couple of loose swings.

“I didn’t foresee being six shots ahead when I stood on the 12th tee,” McIlroy remarked.

Before long, he found himself leading comfortably.

His drive over Rae’s Creek on the treacherous 12th landed around 2 metres past the pin. He capitalised on both par 5s, although he had to lay up from the trees on each occasion. Additionally, he took full advantage of the lower pin position at the par-3 16th for an easy birdie.

The crowd erupted when he chipped in from off the green at the 17th hole. Unable to see the hole past the crest of the green, McIlroy sensed the excitement as “I could see everyone in the grandstand start to rise to their feet.”

“That was a pleasant surprise,” he commented.

And he wasn’t finished yet — his final approach on the 18th came to rest perfectly on the slope, leading to one last birdie.

This pushed him to 12-under, six strokes ahead of Reed and Sam Burns. The previous record for the largest lead after 36 holes at Augusta National was five shots, a feat achieved by six players, the latest being Scottie Scheffler in 2022 and the first being Harry “Lighthorse” Cooper in 1936, the only player to hold such a lead without winning the Masters.

If McIlroy manages to maintain his position, he will join the ranks of Nicklaus, Faldo, and Woods as the only players to have won consecutive Masters titles.

Back in 2011, he had a two-shot lead after 36 holes, which he extended to four shots heading into the final round, only to suffer a devastating 80 and a heartache that lasted until last year, when he eventually claimed victory in a playoff to prove he could triumph at Augusta National.

The Masters 2026 second round leaderboard

“I’m well aware of what can unfold here, both positively and negatively,” McIlroy expressed with a grin. “Trust me, I won’t be getting ahead of myself. There’s plenty of golf yet to play. I got off to a fantastic start.”

The conditions at Augusta during the second round were prime. It was warmer, sunnier, and drier, with less wind and fewer swirling gusts. The relatively generous pin placements allowed for easier scoring, particularly on holes 16 and 18, where well-struck shots could roll toward the hole. The field’s average score was almost two strokes better in the second round compared to the first.

Bryson DeChambeau faced another bunker fiasco that sent him home early, failing to make the cut. He found himself one shot below the cut line as he approached the 18th tee, and the trouble started with his approach shot landing in the sand next to the green. It took him two strokes to extricate himself and, once out, he watched helplessly as his ball rolled off the front of the green and back onto the fairway. He then chipped on and two-putted for a triple bogey, sealing his fate.

Patrick Reed remained bogey-free until a par save eluded him on the last hole, costing him a spot in Saturday’s final pairing with McIlroy. The pair had shared the final group in 2018, with all of Augusta seemingly favouring McIlroy, only for Reed to claim victory.

Burns finished strongly with birdies at his last two holes for a 71 and will be alongside McIlroy in the next round.

Justin Rose, who lost to McIlroy in last year’s playoff, struggled with his putting but still managed a 69, joining the group at 5-under 139 — now trailing by seven shots — along with Shane Lowry (69) and Tommy Fleetwood, who recorded two eagles on his round of 68.

Among the Australians, only Jason Day stood out with a solid round. He was in contention before McIlroy’s surge, recording three birdies but also two bogeys on 11 and 18, the latter after he was forced to chip out from the pine straw on his second shot. Day now sits four-under for the tournament, eight shots adrift of McIlroy.

Adam Scott began the day at even-par but quickly fell behind after a bogey on the first hole. Despite securing birdies on the sixth and eighth, he endured another bogey on the seventh, finishing the front nine at even.

He made a birdie-bogey on 15 and 16, only to drop further on the 18th due to a misplaced tee shot, resulting in a penalty and a double bogey. He’s now two-over for the tournament.

The struggles of Min Woo Lee and Cameron Smith from Thursday continued into Friday, as both players missed the cut.

The Masters 2026 Third Round tee times