Rory McIlroy, the defending champion, carded a seven-under 65 in the second round to surge to 12-under par, opening a six-shot lead through 36 holes at the 2026 Masters. Sam Burns and Patrick Reed sit tied for second at six under, with Justin Rose, Shane Lowry and Tommy Fleetwood one stroke further back. The lead marks the largest at the 36-hole mark in tournament history.
McIlroy, who won his first green jacket last year to complete the career Grand Slam, started the tournament with a 67 on Thursday. He closed Friday's round with four straight birdies, pulling ahead of the field at Augusta National Golf Club amid swirling winds and firm conditions that tested players on the par-5 13th and 15th holes. Burns, who shared the overnight lead, now trails by six alongside 2018 champion Reed. Rose, the runner-up last year, Lowry and Fleetwood stand at five under. McIlroy is now a -280 favorite to become the first back-to-back winner since Tiger Woods in 2001 and 2002, according to betting odds. Three-time Masters champion Phil Mickelson, absent from the event due to a family matter, voiced concerns on X about recent lengthening of the 13th and 15th holes. “Watching @TheMasters and seeing so few players long enough to go for 13–15 has taken away so much excitement and intrigue to the back nine,” Mickelson wrote. “Another example of how longer isn’t always better.” The 13th was extended to 545 yards in 2023, while the 15th was moved back 30 yards and left 20 yards the prior year as part of Augusta National's efforts to counter modern power. Eagles on those holes dropped from four on 13 and one on 15 Thursday to one each Friday.
