Rory McIlroy has surged into a six-shot lead at the Masters after a stunning second-round 65, putting him on 12 under par at the halfway point. The defending champion, who won his first Green Jacket in 2025, is now 36 holes from becoming only the fourth player in history to successfully defend the title. McIlroy's relaxed demeanour has left rivals facing an uphill battle, with the Northern Irishman appearing unfazed by the prospect of falling short.
McIlroy started quickly, taking the sole lead by the second hole and adding birdies at the third and fourth. A bogey on the fifth and a missed putt for par on the sixth saw him drop to six under, matching Patrick Reed. However, McIlroy responded with birdies at the 12th, 13th, and 15th, before a tap-in birdie at the 16th took him to double digits under par. His best moment came at the 17th, where he chipped in from 30 yards after a wayward drive, extending his lead to five shots. He then birdied the last for a 65, setting a Masters record for the largest halfway lead.
Patrick Reed sits second on six under after a 69, with Sam Burns also on six under following a 71. A European trio of Justin Rose, Shane Lowry, and Tommy Fleetwood are five under, while Tyrrell Hatton is four under after a 66. Hatton, who has previously struggled at Augusta, expressed delight at his improved form. Brooks Koepka, at three under, shrugged off criticism from Tom Watson regarding his return to the PGA Tour from LIV Golf.
Notable players missing the cut include Robert MacIntyre, Tom McKibbin, Cameron Smith, and 66-year-old Fred Couples, who outscored 16 players in his final round. McIlroy's commanding lead sets up a potential Sunday showdown with Reed, with the defending champion firmly in control at Augusta National.
