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Rory McIlroy channels his inner Seve Ballesteros to revive Masters dream

Rory McIlroy channels his inner Seve Ballesteros to revive Masters dream
Rory McIlroy is contention going into the weekend – Getty Images/Michael Reaves

Rory McIlroy dug his Masters challenge deep out of the pine straw here on Friday. The Northern Irishman shrugged off the two double-bogeys he suffered the previous evening and with a 66 – during which he channelled his inner Seve Ballesteros – gallantly thrust himself back into contention.

So much for the narrative that insisted his latest bid for a Green Jacket had been utterly devastated by those mistakes near the denouement of his opening level-par 72. Sports Illustrated even went as far to announce it was already over for the world No 2 – “Rory McIlroy tried something different this year: a first-round collapse to lose the Masters.”

The 89th Masters is certainly not yet lost. Not for McIlroy, anyway. Indeed, on six-under, he is only two off the pace set by England’s Justin Rose, in a tie for third alongside Canadian Corey Conners, with American Bryson DeChambeau in second on seven-under. 

This is just the third time in the last 12 years that McIlroy has been in the top five of the Masters at the halfway stage and he was hailing his resilience as a key factor.

“I’m proud of myself with how I responded today after the finish last night,” he said, after a round featuring an eagle, four birdies and no bogeys. “I just had to remind myself that I played really good golf yesterday, and you know, I wasn’t going to let two… you know, two bad holes sort of dictate the narrative for the rest of the week.

“I was so frustrated last night because I played so well, and you can make these big numbers from absolutely nowhere on this golf course, just like the most benign position. So it was a good reminder that you just have to have your wits about you on every single shot.”

Before he went out, McIlroy had a session with his sports psychologist, Dr Bob Rotella, and the mantra was not to try to catch up the conceded ground too quickly. On the par-five second, he drove behind a tree. No matter, he chopped it out and played a fine approach to six feet for his first birdie of the day.

He then had to wait until the par-fourth 10th for his next red number, when he sent in a dart to kick-in distance with his second from 177 yards. Do not forget this is where a triple-bogey seven in 2011 precipitated his 80-shot meltdown as the final-round leader.

On the imposing 11th, he once again refused to play it safe, going for the flag despite the water on the left. A five-footer for another birdie. He pulled his tee-shot on the par-three 12th, but a supreme chip from the pine straw allowed him to save par.

On the par-five 13th, he pushed his drive into the trees on the right. With the creek guarding the putting surface, the wise ploy was surely to lay-up. But McIlroy was charging after starting the back nine with three successive threes and wanted to make it four.

So from, yes, the pine straw he conjured a four-iron to seven feet. It only just cleared the hazard however and McIlroy admitted he initially thought it was another unforced error on his behalf “When the ball was in the air, I was like, ‘you idiot, what have you done?’,” he said. “I was in between taking a four-iron and a five-iron. I’m glad I opted for the former. But, yeah, I rode my luck a little bit with that second and it was nice to take advantage of it.”

On the 14th, he erred again with the big club and was back in the needles in the trees on the left. McIlroy found a route through the forest and located the green. On the 15th – where he chipped into the water on Thursday in that devastating seven – he hit the green in two but was 90 feet away. Somehow, he negotiated it over the undulations and through the borrows to six feet.

Onwards to six-under, where he remained courtesy of another resilient up and down on the 16th. It was a giddying comeback but it is still a daunting proposition if he is to end his 11-year major drought.

McIlroy will not only have to thwart his own history, but the record books of the Masters at large. Only two players have come from seven behind after 18 holes here to win – Sir Nick Faldo in 1990 and Tiger Woods in 2005.

McIlroy is good enough to join those names and the exclusive club of five legends who have completed the male grand slam. Faldo, himself, believes it is possible “It’s fabulous stuff,” the three-time champion said. “To go on after yesterday and the two doubles, I felt he’d basically gone back to zero and starts again. This is going to be won at 10- or 12-under, he’s got plenty of time; he’s got two more rounds to get to that score.”

Rory McIlroy channels his inner Seve Ballesteros to revive Masters dream
Rory McIlroy will hope to delight the crowd by winning the Masters – Getty Images/Richard Heathcote

McIlroy will simply need to produce the form he has shown so far this campaign – with wins at both Pebble Beach and Sawgrass – and so get the better of a stacked leaderboard. Defending champion Scottie Scheffler remains ominously poised on five-under after a 71 and that is the same mark as McIlroy’s countryman and close friend Shane Lowry (68) and another Ryder Cup teammate in Tyrrell Hatton (70).

However, Rose will surely not be straightforward to pass. His second-round 71 was hard-earned and not nearly as composed as his 65 on Thursday. But the 2013 US Open champion displayed his undoubted grit to keep a grip on the advantage and so make it 10 rounds at Augusta in which he has led or co-led. It is quite easily the most of any non-winner. At 44, the veteran is ready for whatever the game’s elite will throw at him.

“This is the company that I expect to keep and that’s where I’ve been for a lot of my career,” Rose said, peering at the scoreboard. “I’ve been a top-10 player in the world for a decade or more so this is nice to be back in that mix, 100 per cent.”

Alas, Father Time has finally ran out for Bernhard Langer at Augusta. The two-time winner bogeyed the last for a 73 to miss the cut by one on three-over. The 67-year-old was given a rousing send-off in what was his last Masters.

The German still fared better than Sergio Garcia and Brooks Koepka, who were both fancied coming in and exited prematurely after finishing on four-over and five-over, respectively.

McIlroy’s second round fightback

2nd hole – Par 5 (Birdie)

After pushing his drive right from the tee, McIlroy’s preferred option of going for the green in two was taken away with his ball lodged behind one of Augusta’s thick trees. He punched out before a wonderful approach from the first cut set up a birdie putt.

Rory McIlroy Masters 2025
Rory McIlroy staged a brilliant recovery from a difficult position in the second round

10th hole – Par 4 (Birdie)

A monster drive down the hill left just 177 yards on the long 495-yard par 4. McIlroy stiffed his approach to just two feet to leave a tap-in on what is considered one of the hardest holes at Augusta.

11th hole – Par 4 (Birdie)

In similar fashion, it was a long drive and a fabulous approach shot which allowed McIlroy to make birdie on the tricky 11th hole. This time it was just 159 yards in and a five-foot putt.

13th hole – Par 5 (Eagle)

Another pushed drive left McIlroy deep in the pine straw and with Rae’s Creek protecting the green but an incredible low-punched shot fired at the pin from 204 yards managed to hold the green to set up eagle from nine feet.

14th hole – Par 4 (Par)

The run of four consecutive threes, after making par on 12, came to an end but not without another spectacular shot from the pine straw. A lucky break left a clear run from the trees to the pin and McIlroy managed to fire his ball high enough to escape the overhanging branches and find the middle of the green for a two-putt par.

12:27 AM BST

Final group

McNealy does make the cut, finishing up on one over with a par on the last

Finau started the day at three over and would have hoped to have made the cut by being one or two under for today but he could not do it and finishes at four over to miss the cut.

The damage to Detry was done yesterday with a seven-over round and he will not make the weekend as he ends up on nine over.

That is it for round two of The 2025 Masters. We will be back for all the action from the third round so make sure you join us.

12:18 AM BST

Hatton finishes with a par

Hatton’s tee shot finds the fairway and his second just holds onto the back of the green. His birdie putt slides past the hole to the right but he should finish up with a par. He drains the par putt and it is a round of 70 for Hatton. At the halfway stage he is five under.

Both Kim and Spieth, going down the last at one over, are flirting with danger in regard the cut line. Spieth’s tee shot does not give him the chance to go for the green in two due to a tree being in the way and then his third rolls back down to the front of the green and he could be in some strife to make the cut. Spieth nearly makes the par putt but a bogey will be enough to see him make the cut at two over.

Kim’s chip from the front of the green gives him the opportunity to seal a par to guarantee his place on the weekend. He misses the par putt though but two over is enough to make the cut.

12:04 AM BST

Scheffler drops a shot at the last

Scheffler’s third went over the back but a great chip onto the green means he will drop just the one shot on the last. He finishes up on five under, three shots off our leader Justin Rose.

Thomas closes out his second round with a par and goes into the weekend at even par.

Scottie Scheffler and his caddie walk on the 18th
Scottie Scheffler goes into the weekend three shots off the lead – Harry How/Getty Images

11:59 PM BST

Bogey for Hatton

Tyrrell will be wondering how on earth he dropped a shot at 17. He made the green in two but has three-putted to register a bogey, dropping back to five under.

11:57 PM BST

Finally!

After what felt like a few hours Scheffler finally chips out. I am sorry but that was ridiculous.

Back on 17…

11:53 PM BST

Terrible lie for Scheffler

He has found his ball but it is firmly in the trees and there will not be a great stance for him. He has been on his knees and now sitting down. I know they should be not rushing it but come on! This group went off over five and a half hours ago yet are still not finished.

Scottie Scheffler sat down in the trees
Time for a sit down for the world number one

11:47 PM BST

Finau misses birdie chance on 16

The American is in and around the cut line but his birdie putt on 16 just slides by the hole. He remains at three over and could be set to miss the cut.

11:46 PM BST

Birdie for Scheffler

The world number one takes his birdie chance on 17 after a great approach and moves to six under. He now heads to the last two off the lead.

His tee shot though on 18 goes quite far left and, depending on the lie, could be in some strife late in round two.

11:39 PM BST

Bogey for Hatton

Tyrrell has to take his medicine and takes a par on the 16th. He loses the shot he made up on 15 and goes back to six under.

Tyrrell Hatton reacts after a bogey on 16
Problem for Tyrrell at 16 – Mike Blake/Reuters

11:37 PM BST

Over on the 17th

Two stunning approach shots from Thomas and Scheffler on 17 and both will have great chances of birdies heading to the last.

11:35 PM BST

Disaster for Hatton at 16

He finds the green with his tee shot on the par three but it is an almighty putt ahead. He does not get it right and is faced with an uphill task to say the least to make par. He is facing a bogey and dropping back to six under.

11:34 PM BST

Bogey at the last for Morikawa

The American had some great momentum but he ends up with a bogey on the last. He heads into the weekend at three under.

Collin Morikawa acknowledges the crowd on the 18th green
Collin Morikawa finishes round two on three under – Brian Snyder/Reuters

11:29 PM BST

MacIntyre misses the cut

Not the day the Scot would have wanted. He bogeys the last three holes to finish on six over and misses the cut by quite some way. He may have missed it anyway even with a slightly better finish but that is him done for this week.

11:25 PM BST

Bogey for Scheffler

A scrappy hole for the defending champion on the par-three 16th as his par putt just slides past the left edge. That bogey drops him to five under.

A view of the 16th hole
Scottie Scheffler drops back to three off the lead – Mike Segar/Reuters

11:22 PM BST

Hatton to -7

It is the simplest of birdie putts for Tyrrell and he moves to seven under, one shot off the lead.

11:18 PM BST

Terrific from Tyrrell

Hatton’s tee shot at 15 did not leave him a chance to go for the green in two. He sensibly lays up and then his third is sublime, setting up an almost certain birdie to take him to seven under.

11:16 PM BST

Par for Scheffler

The defending champion cannot land that outside birdie chance and has to settle for par to remain at six under.

11:11 PM BST

Another birdie for Morikawa

The American’s good momentum continues and that is back-to-back birdies on 16 and 17. He is now up to four under, four shots off the lead.

11:10 PM BST

Scheffler at 15

Scheffler’s second at the par-five 15th finds the bunker to the right of the green. His bunker shot is fine but not great. It will be a very outside chance of a birdie for the world number one.

Up ahead on the 16th green Day has a shot at birdie to move to six under but cannot drain it.

10:58 PM BST

Morikawa up to -3

A birdie on 16 for Collin Morikawa takes him to three under. He has gone about his business quietly so far this week but is only five shots off the lead.

10:51 PM BST

Conners finishes up

The Canadian gets a par on the last and he finishes his second round on six under after a two-under 70. Two shots off the lead and in a good position going into the weekend.

10:48 PM BST

Birdie for Scheffler

Moments after Hatton moved to six under, Scheffler joins him with a good birdie on 14.

Scottie Scheffler celebrates his birdie on the 14th
Scottie Scheffler up to six under – Pilar Olivares/Reuters

10:45 PM BST

Tyrrell into tie for third

A birdie on the par-five 13th after a sublime second shot sees Hatton move to six under alongside Corey Conners and Rory McIlroy.

Tyrrell Hatton plays his second shot on the 13th
Tyrrell Hatton right in contention – Richard Heathcote/Getty Images

10:44 PM BST

Couples misses the cut

One defending champion has likely narrowly missed the cut and another will definitely not be making it as Fred Couples finishes on four over. In 2023 he became the oldest player to make the cut in Masters history but he will not make the weekend.

Bob MacIntyre is also on four over with two to play and in serious danger of missing the cut as well.

Fred Couples raises his cap to the crowd
Not to be this week for Fred Couples – Harry How/Getty Images

10:42 PM BST

Bernhard Langer speaking to Sky Sports

“It was weird. I did not know if I was going to miss the cut or not, if I was going to be playing some more on the weekend or if I am done. It was basically confirmed when I handed my scorecard in that I am most likely not going to make it.

“But it was a wonderful setting and I have had a fantastic 41 years here at Augusta as a player. I now look forward to many more as a non-competing past champion.

“It has been really fun playing the last two days. I have got various standing ovations around the golf course; the patrons seem to really appreciate what I have done.”

Bernhard Langer salutes the crowd on the 18th
Langer is set to miss the cut – George Walker IV/AP

10:36 PM BST

Conners onto the last

Canada’s Corey Conners is in a share for third on six under as he makes his way to the last. One shot back Jason Day has registered another par on 14.

10:34 PM BST

Langer’s final goodbye to The Masters?

Bernhard Langer shakes hands with Augusta National Chairman Fred Ridley
Bernhard Langer won the 1985 and 1993 Masters – Harry How/Getty Images
Bernhard Langer acknowledges the crowd
Three-over may not be enough for Langer to make the weekend – Harry How/Getty Images

10:26 PM BST

Scheffler in the creek!

From one former champion to another as the defending champion is on the par-five 13th. His second shot towards the green ends up in the creek. He takes a penalty drop and nearly chips it in for birdie but will salvage a par to remain at five under.

10:19 PM BST

Will Bernhard Langer make the weekend?

The two-time Masters champion receives a standing ovation from the patrons as he makes his way to the 18th green. His second shot has missed the green to the left so can he get up-and-down for par to probably reach the weekend? His chip gets just onto the green and he will have a tricky putt for par.

Bernhard Langer acknowledges the crowd as he comes down the 18th
Has Bernhard Langer said goodbye to The Masters? – Brian Snyder/Reuters

Can he get it? No he cannot as it slides just to the right of the hole? It is a one-over 73 and he is three over. He may not make the cut now so is that the last time we see him at The Masters? An amazing reception for Bernhard as he departs the 18th green, met by his family.

10:11 PM BST

Bogey for Hatton

Tyrrell’s par putt slides past the right edge and he drops a shot on the 12th to move back to five under.

Tyrrell Hatton has his head in his hands on the 12th
Dropped shot for Tyrrell at 12 – Mike Blake/Reuters

09:59 PM BST

Scheffler birdies 12

From a huge slice of luck to a stunning chip. Scheffler takes advantage of his fortune but chipping in for a birdie to move to five under.

Up on 15 Conners has a chance of a birdie to move to seven under but he cannot take it.

09:52 PM BST

Huge slice of luck for Scheffler

How lucky is the defending champion? He massively overcooks his tee shot on 12 and it goes over the back. Somehow it comes back down rather than getting stuck in the pines and that is a huge slice of luck.

09:46 PM BST

Bogey for Scheffler

The defending champion cannot sink his par putt and that bogey drops him back to four under.

09:46 PM BST

Nearly for Day

The Australian hits a good tee shot on the par-three 12th to set him up for a chance for birdie but the putt slides past the hole so he remains at five under.

Back on the previous green…

Jason Day plays his tee shot on the 12th
Jason Day is three shots off the lead – Mike Blake/Reuters

09:41 PM BST

Shot clocks needed?

Scottie Scheffler is an incredible golfer but boy does he take forever to play his shots. Like with over rates in cricket, it feels like we have this conversation around how long these rounds take every year yet nothing changes and, if anything it gets worse. These golfers are so good why does it take them so long? No excuses in my book!

09:39 PM BST

Cut watch

There are not many players who are just outside the projected cut line who are still out on the course. Cameron Smith is at three over, one shot outside what he needs with three holes to play. Bob MacIntyre is at four over through 12 holes.

Bob MacIntyre reacts in frustration
Bob MacIntyre in a spot of bother – Harry How/Getty Images

09:31 PM BST

Taking his sweet time

This is just ridiculous. On the 11th tee we have seen Scheffler stand there for an absolute age, waiting to take his tee shot. The wind has picked up but this is why these rounds are taking so long. He is by no means the only one to take his time but the powers that be have to stamp out this slow play. These rounds should not take as long as they do. Yesterday we had rounds of five and a half hours which, quite frankly, is ludicrous.

09:26 PM BST

Double bogey for Langer

How costly will that trip into the water at 15 be for Bernhard? It is a double bogey and he drops back to two over, flirting with danger with the cut line.

09:24 PM BST

Rory McIlroy speaking to Sky Sports

“I had to remind myself that I played really well yesterday; I played 16 really good holes yesterday and just two not so good.

“I am swinging it well and everything is feeling good. My thing today was making sure I did not push too much from the start – if I did that, I knew I could make a couple of bogeys early and then really be chasing it for the rest of the round.

“It was a steady start and then I had a really nice stretch around Amen Corner.” 

Rory McIlroy acknowledges the crowd
Six-under 66 for McIlroy today – Harry How/Getty Images

09:19 PM BST

Bogey for Scheffler

Scottie reaches the tenth green in two but his birdie putt is tentative. That leaves him a tricky par putt, which slides past the right edge and he drops back to five under.

Corey Conners meanwhile has had an up-and-down start to his back nine but he is back up to six under with a birdie on 13.

09:17 PM BST

Oh no Bernhard!

Langer is on 15 at even par but misjudges his shot into the green as it lands on the front and rolls off into the water.

09:10 PM BST

Hatton on the charge

Birdies on seven, eight and nine have led Hatton from three to six under. He joins McIlroy and Scheffler on that number, two shots off the lead.

Tyrrell Hatton stands on the ninth green
Tyrrell Hatton closing in on the top of the leaderboard – Brian Snyder/Reuters

09:05 PM BST

Cut watch

It is hovering around the two/ three over mark. Jon Rahm has a nervous wait as he has finished up on two over. As it stands Bob MacIntyre is three over having just begun his back nine and is at risk of missing the weekend’s action.

Jon Rahm reacts during his second round
Will Jon Rahm make the weekend? – George Walker IV/AP

08:58 PM BST

Scheffler stays at -6

He nearly got an eagle on the ninth as the ball spun back but then misses his birdie putt. He hits the turn at six under, two off the lead.

08:53 PM BST

Birdie for Hatton

Tyrrell has made it back-to-back birdies on seven and eight to move to five under.

Meanwhile Fleetwood has a par putt on 18 but it slides past the left edge. It is a three-under round of 69 and, going into the weekend, he will start tomorrow on two under.

Tyrrell Hatton celebrates a birdie on the ninth
Tyrell Hatton on the move – Brian Snyder/Reuters

08:49 PM BST

Those in the top 20 out on the course

Scottie Scheffler and Corey Conners are on six under in a tie for third with Rory McIlroy. One shot back Jason Day is on five under as he hits the back nine. Tyrrell Hatton is coming towards the end of his front nine and he is currently four under.

08:42 PM BST

Scheffler birdies eight

The defending champion takes advantage of the par-five eighth and gets back the shot he dropped on seven. He rejoins McIlroy on six under.

Corey Conners is also back to -6 after a birdie on 11.

08:41 PM BST

Langer to make the cut?

On his final appearance at The Masters, the 1985 and 1993 champion Bernhard Langer is in a decent position make the cut. He is at even par through 12 holes.

Bernhard Langer celebrates on the 12th
Bernhard Langer is now 67 years old – Ashley Landis/AP

08:33 PM BST

DeChambeau saves par on the last

It is a tricky par putt on 18 for Bryson but he drains it. He cards a four-under 68 for the day and heads into the weekend on seven under, one off Justin Rose.

Lowry’s birdie putt was on the right line and looked like it was rolling in but comes up just short. He finishes round two on five under, three shots off the lead.

Matsuyama finishes up with a par to finish on three under overall, four under for the day.

08:23 PM BST

Bogey for Scheffler

The first of the week for the 2022 and 2024 Masters champion on seven to drop back to five under.

Scottie Scheffler looks on during his second round
Scottie Scheffler began round two on four under – Andrew Redington/Getty Images

08:21 PM BST

Par on the last for McIlroy leaves him two off the lead

McIlroy’s tee shot on 18 goes just off the fairway to the right and his second into the final green just about stays on the back of the green. Not his best but a perfectly solid and safe shot which should see him par the last. His birdie effort is a little tame and he leaves himself a tricky putt for par. He nails the putt though and secures the par on the last to register a six-under 66.

Aberg finishes up with back-to-back bogeys to end on three under overall, one over for the day. Bhatia also registers a bogey and finishes the second round on two over.

Behind them DeChambeau, Lowry and Matsuyama are coming up the last.

Meanwhile back at seven…

Rory McIlroy on the 18th green in front of the big scoreboard
Great second round from Rory McIlroy – Brian Snyder/Reuters

08:09 PM BST

DeChambeau moves within one of the lead

He dropped a shot on 16 but immediately hits back with a birdie on 17 to move to seven under, just one behind Justin Rose as he heads to the final tee.

Up ahead on the last green Hovland makes it back-to-back bogeys to finish his round. The Norwegian ends round two on four under.

Bryson DeChambeau celebrates his birdie on 17
Bryson DeChambeau just off the top of the leaderboard – Mike Blake/Reuters

08:07 PM BST

Projected cut

As it stands, you are going to have to be one over or better to make the weekend. The likes of Jon Rahm, Patrick Cantlay and Phil Mickelson will all be nervous at the moment.

Jon Rahm looks on frustrated
2023 Masters champion Jon Rahm at risk of not making the weekend – Julia Demaree Nikhinson/AP

08:02 PM BST

Birdie for Scheffler

He takes advantage of his great tee shot on six and joins McIlroy, DeChambeau and Conners on six under.

It is noticeable how much the wind is picking up and that is only going to increase. McIlroy will be pretty delighted his round is coming to a close as the wind ramps up.

07:57 PM BST

Scheffler looking to move up

The defending champion’s tee shot on the par-three sixth is splendid, presenting a great chance for a birdie.

Up ahead on 16 DeChambeau’s par putt slides past and he has to settle for a bogey, taking him back to six under.

On the 17th green, McIlroy has a birdie chance. He made a double bogey here yesterday but has a better time today. He cannot land the birdie putt but that is a solid par and he now heads to the last. Three players are currently on six under; McIlroy, DeChambeau and Canada’s Corey Conners.

07:49 PM BST

Hovland stutters on 17

The Norwegian had built some terrific momentum on the back nine but that has been halted by a bogey on 17. He will head to 18 on five under, three shots off Justin Rose’s lead.

Viktor Hovland has his head in his hands
Minor setback for Viktor Hovland – Mike Blake/Reuters

07:46 PM BST

The thoughts of Justin Rose

“Those two fives (late bogeys) could have been two birdie putts quite easily and changed the complexion of the round, but I’m in a great position going into the weekend.

“Sometimes you have got to knock on the door. I do not think I could have done anything differently on those two occasions [PGA Championship and The Open last year].

“I think the leaderboard is stacking up favourably for world-class players, so you are going to have to play good golf.”   

Justin Rose and his caddie walk off the final green
Justin Rose backed up a round of 65 yesterday with a one-under 71 today – Harry How/Getty Images

07:38 PM BST

Good par save from McIlroy

He allowed yesterday to get away from him in the last four holes but that is a big save from McIlroy on 16.

Playing alongside him, Aberg has had a slightly frustrating round but a birdie on the par three takes him to five under having started the day on four under. He finished second here last year on his Masters and major debut.

Their European counterpart Rasmus Hojgaard has finished his round with a bogey on the last but still heads into the weekend in a decent position on four under after a round of 67.

A view of the 16th green
Augusta National looking splendid as always – David Cannon/Getty Images

07:30 PM BST

Who could miss the cut?

Two former champions; Dustin and Zach Johnson, look like they might not make the weekend and the same could be for Patrick Cantlay. The likes of Bob MacIntyre and Tony Finau are also at risk but they are still in the early stages of their second rounds.

07:27 PM BST

McIlroy birdies 15

The world number two had a long, long eagle putt that he made a decent fist of but still leaves himself a tricky birdie putt. He makes no mistake though and is now on six under, two shots behind our leader Justin Rose. Through 15 holes today he is six under and currently on course for potentially a round of 66 if not better.

Hovland is now just two off the lead as well after back-to-back birdies on 14, 15 and 16. He is up to six under.

07:24 PM BST

Hovland on the move

The Norwegian began the day on one under but has just birdied the 15th to move to five under, three shots off Justin Rose’s lead. McIlroy is currently on the 15th green.

Back on 14 Lowry has made birdie and is also at five under.

07:18 PM BST

McIlroy on 15

McIlroy has 231 yards on his second shot into the 15th green and he finds the green. Anything less on that shot and that ball probably would have rolled back into the water.

Rory McIlroy hits his second shot on the 15th
Rory McIlory having a strong second round but will hope for a different ending than he had to his first round – David Cannon/Getty Images

07:11 PM BST

European feel to the top of the leaderboard

With a Ryder Cup on the horizon later this year, Team Europe will be happy to see plenty of their players near the top of the leaderboard. Rose, McIlroy, R Hojgaard, Hovland, Aberg and Lowry all four under or better. Add to that Fleetwood and Hatton both on three under.

07:07 PM BST

McIlroy moves to the 15th

As important as the eagle was on 13, saving par on the 14th is key and that is what McIlroy does. He was actually not far off a birdie despite an errant tee shot. Now he heads to the 15th, where his first round yesterday was detrimentally impacted by a double bogey after finding the water with a sloppy chip. He was four under heading down 15 yesterday but ended up on even par by the time he finished on 18. Can he avoid a similar fate today?

Back on 13 DeChambeau has failed to take advantage of the par five and remains at seven under, where he has been since the eighth.

07:01 PM BST

Rose finishes up

Our leader missed the 18th green to the left but he has got up and down for par to finish with a one under round of 71 to be eight under at the halfway mark. The 44-year-old can be pretty delighted with his efforts over these first few days.

Justin Rose and JJ Spaun on the final green
Justin Rose in a great position heading into the weekend – Brian Snyder/Reuters

07:00 PM BST

Plenty of action ahead

Thank you Dan. So much more to look forward to on day two of the 2025 Masters, with Rory McIlroy on the charge and our leader Justin Rose coming to the close of his round. Speaking of Rose…

06:57 PM BST

Another superb recovery from McIlroy

Is he using up his moments of magic two soon? Because his two shots off the pine straw over the last half hour have been sumptuous. From the right of 14, McIlroy takes the high ride over the branches with a towering cut, and his ball clears the hump in the middle of the green to set up a 20-foot birdie try.

For the remainder of McIlroy’s round and the rest of the evening’s action, I’ll leave you in the capable hands of Kieran Crichard.

06:55 PM BST

McIlroy now in some trouble on the 14th

He has driven the ball impeccably for most of these first two rounds, but he has just carved his tee shot deep into the jungle right of the fairway. Will need a prayer and perhaps a favourable kick from a patron to find a line out of there.

06:47 PM BST

Eagle for McIlroy!

The Northern Irishman jumps to five under for the tournament and to within three shots of Rose. Birdie-birdie-par-eagle start to the back nine. Bar those two holes last night, he has played the best golf of anyone for my money and is now right back in this Masters.

06:45 PM BST

McIlroy trending in the right direction

The odd brain fade aside, Rory McIlroy has been seriously dialled-in for these first two rounds. The 10th and 11th are monstrously difficult par-fours but he navigated them both with supreme poise, sinking two straightforward birdie putts thanks to his fearsome power off the tee and almost laser-guided iron play. Even a misjudgment at the short 12th was soon smoothed out with a brilliant up-and-down. At some level, his recent hole-by-hole tuition by Jack Nicklaus has clearly had an effect.

Northern Ireland's Rory McIlroy reacts after holing a birdie putt
Rory McIlroy made a quick start to his back nine – Reuters/Mike Segar

06:42 PM BST

What a shot from McIlroy on the 13th

By the look of his action from the pine straw right, I thought that was a lay-up, but from 214 yards his approach sailed over Rae’s Creek and found the right-hand portion of the green where the hole is cut. McIlroy with have an eagle putt from 15 feet upcoming.

06:41 PM BST

Rose drops a shot on the 17th

He got a little greedy (or simply mis-clubbed) with the second shot and found the front right bunker. From there he was short-sided, and failed to get his splash from sand within 20 feet. Rose back to eight-under, and the lead over DeChambeau is one again.

06:38 PM BST

A par to start for Scheffler

Fairway, green, and well-weighted approach putt. Another par banked. The World No 1 is yet to drop a shot this week and continues to look supreme at Augusta National.

06:33 PM BST

Sungjae Im putting together one of the best rounds on the course

We are not seeing much of Im on the television coverage but he is five under for the day through 13 holes and nestled in behind DeChambeau and Rose on the leaderboard. A welcome return to form from Im, who has played well at Augusta before.

Sungjae Im
Sungjae Im – AP/Julia Demaree Nikhinson

06:30 PM BST

Matt McCarty in the club house at five under after a topsy-turvy 68

06:27 PM BST

McIlroy saves par at the 12th

McIlroy was possibly unfortunate on the 15th yesterday, but he got away with one there at Augusta’s signature par three. He was shouting “sit!” from the moment the ball left the club face, he knew he pulled it. His ball bounced up the bank beyond the green and could easily have buried itself in a bush, but it rolled back down. From there, he played the percentages with putter from off the green and cleaned up well from six feet. McIlroy keeps the momentum going.

06:25 PM BST

Scheffler starts his second round

A lovely start for Scheffler, another high fade that splits a fairway. His playing partner Justin Thomas follows him down the middle with another good drive.

06:23 PM BST

Rose birdies the 16th

A quiet spell for Rose with pars on the par fives and a bogey on the 14th, but he drains his putt down the hill for a two on the 16th to restore a two-shot lead. This has been a strong showing.

06:16 PM BST

Rose with a cracking tee shot on the 16th

Tricky pin position with the flag on the front right section but Rose finds it, and will have a birdie putt from around 10 feet to get back to nine under.

06:16 PM BST

McIlroy rolls in the short birdie putt!

He is now just five behind Rose and has the two par fives on the back nine to come. Given the bruising finish last night, this has been an impressive bounceback from McIlroy and he has just birdie two of the hardest holes on the course.

06:14 PM BST

Im takes it to six under

06:12 PM BST

McIlroy with another pin-point approach

I’m not sure I can recall a player cutting Augusta’s 10th and 11th down to size as McIlroy just has. Nudged a short-iron shot in to control the spin, and even managed to put his ball between the hole and water so he has an uphill putt from only six feet. Could be back-to-back birdies to start the back nine for McIlroy. And on two of the hardest holes on the course.

06:10 PM BST

Just a par for Rose at the 15th

Laying up on the par five is a sensible call but it still leaves a very dicey wedge shot, off a downslope over the water. Rose is understandably wary of air-mailing the green and plays right of the pin. Two putts keep him one clear of DeChambeau.

06:02 PM BST

Booming drive from McIlroy down the 11th

This is a brute of a par four, but McIlroy has crushed a high draw off the treeline which chases down the fairway some 360 yards. He will have just 160 yards from there, down the hill, not much more than a nine-iron. Water lurks, but McIlroy will fancy getting that inside 20 feet. McIlroy has started this tournament with great poise, bar that aberration late yesterday.

05:58 PM BST

Rose lays up on the par five 15th

He has 247 yards back into the draft, so very sensibly Rose takes the Zach Johnson route and sets up a third shot with a wedge. Still has the opportunity to set up a birdie chance.

05:54 PM BST

We are around half hour from Scottie Scheffler’s tee time

If he matches yesterday’s 68, there is a good chance that the pre-tournament favourite and defending champion will have at least a share of the lead. But as James Corrigan told us from Augusta, the wind is expected to kick up late today.

05:50 PM BST

McIlroy hits one stiff on the 10th

Two glorious shots down the 10th, and that will surely be McIlroy’s second birdie of the day which will move him to two under. That’s a bonus birdie really, he just needs to par the next two holes and attack the par fives on this back nine. Easier said than done.

05:48 PM BST

It is indeed a bogey for Rose

Back to eight under, one under for his round, but Rose is now just one shot clear of DeChambeau. The Englishman does have a par five upcoming, the chance to get that shot straight back.

05:46 PM BST

DeChambeau puts another birdie on the board

He takes advantage of the second of Augusta’s par fives, the eighth, and DeChambeau closes the gap to Rose to just two shots.

And Rose has just hit a clumpy chip shot on the 14th that was fortunate to hold just over a ridge. Odds-on a dropped shot from there which means the lead could be just one.

05:42 PM BST

Two players who are putting themselves in contention

Are Sungjae Im and Matt McCarty, who are both four under for their second round. McCarty was two over for the tournament on the sixth tee but has birdied six of his next 10 holes. Im finished his front nine with consecutive birdies. McCarty adding more weight to the theory that left-handers have an advantage at Augusta following the success of Phil Mickelson, Bubba Watson and Mike Weir.

Matt McCarty of the United States plays a shot from a bunker
Matt McCarty plays a bunker shot on the fourth – Getty Images/Harry How

05:36 PM BST

McIlroy and Aberg left frustrated at the ninth

After cracking drives, they sent wedge shots over the pin to try to use the back-board, but the green is so quick that the ball rolls back past the hole and down onto the next tier. Both will have outside chances only when it looked like they could have tap-in birdies.

05:33 PM BST

Just the par for Rose at the 13th

He decided to lay up on the par five but did not throw his wedged third far enough up the green. Another excellent try with the putter from long range, but no birdie this time. Rose stays at nine under and three clear of the field.

05:22 PM BST

Three European players moving in the right direction

Rasmus Hojgaard and Matt Fitzpatrick have reached the turn in 32 and 34 respectively to be three under for the tournament. On the same score is Viktor Hovland as he walks down the ninth fairway.

No birdie for McIlroy on the eighth, he hit a poor drive out to the right and then misread the putt. His playing partner Aberg does convert for birdie though to bounce back to four under.

Matt Fitzpatrick at Augusta
Matt Fitzpatrick at Augusta – Getty Images/Richard Heathcote

05:14 PM BST

Rose converts for birdie at the 12th

Rose has backed up yesterday’s 65 with a really strong 12 holes of golf. Rose now nine under for the tournament, which is three clear of DeChambeau and four clear of Im in third.

05:10 PM BST

McIlroy furious with himself

On the par five eighth which is a birdie chance, he carves his drive into the bunker on the right. He knew right off the face where it was heading. Alongside McIlroy, Aberg has just made consecutive bogeys to fall back to three under.

05:07 PM BST

Rose with a peach on the 12th

He was watching it anxiously as all players do on this treacherous par three, but his ball clears Rae’s Creek and the sand and lands with some drawn spin which feeds it down towards the hole. Rose will have six feet or so for birdie and a precious two on a dangerous hole.

05:05 PM BST

Rose showing great touch from long range again

Showing all his experience down the 11th, showing no interest in taking on the pin and bringing the water into play. Played safely out to the right fringe, and lagged a putt down to within tap-in range for par. Two fours to start Rose’s back nine and that is the testing 10th and 11th ticked off.

05:02 PM BST

McIlroy leaves a birdie putt in the jaws at the seventh

Up the hill from 20 feet or so, but not enough pace. McIlroy has a clean card, but now walks to a par five and needs to start making a few more birdies to reach the first page of the leaderboard.

04:47 PM BST

Another birdie for DeChambeau!

This is not an outstanding start from DeChambeau, three under after five holes and to within two of Rose. DeChambeau also has three of Augusta’s four par fives still to play which means a seriously good score could be within view.

04:45 PM BST

Sloppy bogey from Aberg

Weak tee shot on the par three sixth, and three stabs from there sends Aberg back to four-under. Also a poor tee shot from McIlroy with such an inviting backstop behind the hole, coming up well short. But a neat chip saves his par.

The same can be said for Justin Rose at the 10th… a delicious pitch shot to within a few feet. Should keep him at eight under.

04:41 PM BST

Rose with work to do on the 10th…

Ideal tee shot, but with the breeze swirling Rose’s iron shot comes up shy and is punished by the green’s false front. There is nothing to stop that one rolling 30 yards or so back to the bottom of the hill. Tough pitch down there for Rose.

04:39 PM BST

McIlroy’s tentative effort

McIlroy had an outside look at birdie on the fifth, but left the putt well short. He has now failed to make a three on that par four the last 40 times he has played it competitively. So much of Augusta is between his ears.

04:36 PM BST

DeChambeau hitting 393 balls on the range paying off

Bryson DeChambeau is looking exceptionally dangerous here. He averaged more than 340 yards off the tee during his first round, 15 yards further than anybody else in the field. “Oh, wow,” he replied, when informed of that statistic. It is not the only department in which his superiority shines through. Augusta’s analytics are so advanced that you can even study data from the driving range, where the two-time US Open champion hit 393 balls on Tuesday, 146 more than the next closest player, Max Homa. His assiduousness is paying off: he has just bludgeoned his tee shot 366 yards at the fifth, as he sets about carving into Justin Rose’s lead.

Bryson DeChambeau of the United States tees off on the 4th hole
Bryson DeChambeau looks to have the hang of Augusta – Getty Images/David Cannon

04:30 PM BST

Rose taps in for par at the ninth

Rose has found the last four greens in regulation, which is a more settled spell of ball striking. Rose reaches the turn in one-under 35.

McIlroy left his birdie putt on the fifth well shy but he will tap in for his par to stay at one-under. Aberg held his nerve to two-putt from long range and stay at five-under.

04:26 PM BST

What a way for DeChambeau to move to five under

04:26 PM BST

McIlroy makes the fifth look very simple

One of the hardest holes on the course reduced to a regulation short iron shot after a booming drive. An outside birdie chance from around 25 feet coming up, but par is always a good score on this hole. Alongside McIlroy, Aberg comes up shy and catches the false front. Will be a difficult two-putt from there.

04:14 PM BST

Rose makes his birdie on the eighth

He has birdie both of the par fives on the front nine, and just the one blemish on his card at the fifth. Rose’s lead is three again, his short game is looking razor sharp.

04:11 PM BST

McIlroy with a gutsy par save

He remains at one under after draining a right-to-left putt back up the hill for his par on the fourth. Alongside McIlroy, Aberg makes par.

Up ahead at the eighth, Justin Rose will have a birdie putt from short range to move back to eight under after a sporty pitch.

04:04 PM BST

A fast start for Matt McCarty

04:01 PM BST

Nice drive from Rose on the par five eighth

Finds the left half of the fairway with a three wood after a stress-free par at the seventh.

McIlroy with a lovely swing on the par three fourth, a towering four-in straight over the pin but it flew straight through the wind. Will be a tricky two-putt for par from the back edge, extremely quick over the final 20 feet.

03:54 PM BST

Birdie at the third for Ludvig Aberg

Crucially, he kept his second shot below the hole which left an uphill birdie putt from short range which Aberg duly converts. Aberg now second on his own and thriving yet again at Augusta.

Back at the second, Bryson DeChambeau has made birdie to move to four under. Bar-birdie start for the American.

Sweden's Ludvig Aberg hits his approach on the 2nd hole during the second round
Sweden’s Ludvig Aberg – Reuters/Mike Segar

03:52 PM BST

A nice start from Sung-jae Im

Two birdies in the first three holes take the South Korean to three under for the tournament. Neat and tidy starts from Daniel Berger, Matt Fitzpatrick, Viktor Hovland and Shane Lowry who are all on two under at the start of their second round.

Over at the third, McIlroy makes a safe par to stay one under. The pin on the third demands respect and he played to the safe side.

03:38 PM BST

McIlroy opens his birdie account!

He made a hash of the drive and the second was scruffy, but a good wedge and putt erase all sins and McIlroy moves one under for the week with his first birdie of the day. His first couple of holes showing the improved scrambling skills he now possesses.

Northern Ireland's Rory McIlroy acknowledges the crowd after holing his birdie putt
McIlroy converted his birdie chance on the second – Reuters/Mike Segar

03:36 PM BST

Rose goes close to responding with a birdie

Even Rose’s putts that fail to go in look like they have a chance. I don’t think I have ever seen him putt as well as he has over these first few days. He has to settle for a par three on the sixth though.

03:32 PM BST

Matt Fitzpatrick showing signs of better form

03:31 PM BST

McIlroy showing resilience

At the second, his drive came to rest close to a tree and forced a tricky chip out, but his wedged third was a delight, feeding down the slope to within birdie range. McIlroy will have a putt from around eight feet to move into red figures.

03:26 PM BST

McIlroy on the second

He was looking to draw his drive off the bunker but hit it dead straight, a little fade if anything, but he cleared the sand and ran through to the pine straw. McIlroy might well have a shot from there but will need to hit a big fade.

03:23 PM BST

A bogey for Rose on the fifth

Another great try with the putter, but this time the flatstick cannot get the Englishman out of jail. The left-to-right par try ran across the face of the hole. Rose back to seven under, where he started the day. No harm done.

03:17 PM BST

Rose’s putter getting him out of trouble

Been out watching Justin Rose and it is fair to say he’s enjoyed some luck so far this morning. Has certainly not struck the ball with the same consummate control of his opening 65. But he has ridden his fortune and is putting tremendously. He could easily be two-over for this first four holes. Instead, he is one-under. Leads by four.

Rose's approach on the third hole
Rose’s approach on the third hole – AP/David J. Phillip

03:15 PM BST

McIlroy cleans up for his par

That was a tremendous approach putt from 70 feet away, up and over some dead elephants underneath the green, but he navigated those slopes with a great touch. McIlroy taps in for an opening par four. A couple of more yielding holes coming up. Also an opening par from Aberg to stay four under.

Justin Rose has found some trouble on the fifth, tweaking his drive into one of the cavernous bunkers on the left. Can only lay up from there, and Rose will have to lean on his short game again.

03:08 PM BST

McIlroy finds the first green

He had to turn the ball down below some overhanging branches and it catches a piece on the front of the green. But that will be a testing two-putt down the length of the green. McIlroy would do well to lag that one within six feet.

03:05 PM BST

Brilliant par save from Rose

His tee shot was so badly mishit on the fourth that he had almost a full wedge shot from 70 yards and it was beautifully judged, zipped in to within six feet. Rolls in the putt and Rose stays bogey-free in his second round and four clear.

03:00 PM BST

Rory McIlroy tees off…

McIlroy backers will have feared the worst when they heard a shout of “Fore left!” but the ball comes to rest in the first cut on the left short of the timber. Good angle from there with a back right pin.

02:57 PM BST

A bizarre short from Rose on the fourth…

The wind is swirling all over the place on the first par three on the course, leading to some indecision. After backing off a few times, it looked like Rose tried to nurse a fairway wood through the wind only to pop the ball straight up. His ball must be some 50 yards or so short of the green. All to do to save par from there.

02:52 PM BST

A great view of the deep bunker on the corner of the second

Denny McCarthy hits from the bunker on the second hole during the second round
Denny McCarthy hits from the bunker on the second hole – AP/George Walker IV

02:47 PM BST

Sergio Garcia relatively reserved today

Sergio Garcia of Spain lines up his second shot on the 1st hole

In case you missed his Spanish-themed outfit yesterday, which some compared instead to Ronald McDonald:

Sergio Garcia, of Spain, hits from the fairway on the 15th hole during the first round
Sergio Garcia’s approach on 15 on Thursday – AP/Julia Demaree Nikhinson

02:44 PM BST

Another par banked for Rose

Rose has the pace of these greens, and he lags his birdie putt down to the holeside. He stays at eight under, four clear of the field.

We are around 15 minutes away from Rory McIlroy starting his second round. The Northern Irishman is going through his paces on the practice ground.

02:39 PM BST

Rose safely aboard the third green

A different hole today with the breeze into the players, and Rose laid up well short of the bunkers on the short par four. Almost everyone was blasting driver over them yesterday. His second is solid, safely into the middle of the green. The pin is cut on a narrow slither of green on the left. Will be a quick putt from 30 feet or so upcoming for Rose.

02:31 PM BST

Rose birdies the second!

His bunker shot was no better than a 7/10, failing to throw the ball far enough up the green, but his putter did the rest. Another putt drained from 15 feet or so by Rose, that club is a wand at the moment. Rose would have another few majors in the bag had he been able to call upon this form on the greens. The lead is four.

02:24 PM BST

Rose’s second finds the front bunker…

Rose’s second with a long iron was a touch pulled and clipped one of the branches on the corner of the par five, but his ball manages to scamper into the sand at the front of the green. A pretty good leave that, because Rose will have 50 or 60 feet of green to work with and the slopes should feed the ball down towards the hole.

02:17 PM BST

Ideal tee shot for Rose on the second

Maybe caught the tee shot a little high off the toe of his driver, but that encouraged a high, loopy draw that suits the shape of Augusta’s second. It kicks down the hill and into position A1. Rose will have 249 yards in from there on the par five.

Rose's drive on the second
Rose’s drive on the second – Masters

02:10 PM BST

Very nicely done from Rose

Shows lovely touch with his chip shot, getting the check on the second bounce, and the ball trickles down to the hole and within kick-in range. A par to start for Rose, always a good start on Augusta’s opener. A par five and potential birdie chance next.

02:08 PM BST

Rose’s approach on the first

The lean suggests his iron shot is leaking a touch right, and he will have a tricky chip from the apron over a slope. No disaster, Rose would back himself to get up and down for par from there.

02:03 PM BST

Matthieu Pavon with a rather snazzy jumper

Looking at the trees across his chest, I think it is supposed to be a representation of Augusta.

Matthieu Pavon of France walks off the 1st tee during the second round
Matthieu Pavon at the start of the second round – Getty Images/David Cannon

01:57 PM BST

Rose splits the fairway on the first

After shoving his final two drives right last night, that will settle any early anxiety. Well positioned for what will be a seven or eight-iron approach to a back right pin. There is no future long at the first today with that pin position.

Justin Rose's tee shot on the first
Justin Rose’s tee shot on the first – Masters

01:45 PM BST

Seven minutes until Rose tees off

The pace of this second morning will pick up when the overnight leader starts his round.

01:38 PM BST

Breeze picking up later in the day

The early starters today look like they will get the better end of it. Winds are forecast to gust up to 20mph later on. Could be good news for Rose if he can post another low one. 

01:32 PM BST

Bubba Watson starts with a par

The 2012 and 2014 Masters champion has been on the LIV tour and off the radar for quite a few years now, but at one under the big-hitting left-hander is well placed. There are now fewer trees on the 10th hole owing to Hurricane Helene, where Watson played his wondrous escape shot en route to victory.

01:20 PM BST

Rose on his Masters history

Ultimately, you want to be last man standing on Sunday, and I was a shot shy – I guess Sergio and I in 2017, that was a real 50/50. A little bit of Lady Luck here and there is always the difference at times.

But I’ve had my luck on occasion and been a champion. You’ve got to be playing the golf to keep creating those opportunities. The only way to do that is to get your name on the leaderboard.

England's Justin Rose reacts after holing his putt on the 18th hole
Justin Rose would be the first English winner of the Masters since 2016 – Reuters/Pilar Olivares

01:11 PM BST

Some of the groups teeing off in the next hour

1.13pm
Bubba Watson, Mathieu Pavon, Evan Beck (A)

1.24pm
Tom Hoge, Matt McCarty, Christiaan Bezuidenhout

1.35pm
Charl Schwartzel, Denny McCarthy, Hiroshi Tai (A)

1.52pm
Max Homa, Justin Rose, JJ Spaun

2.03pm
Dustin Johnson, Nick Taylor, Justin Hastings (A)

2.14pm
Sergio Garcia, Lucas Glover, Daniel Berger

12:45 PM BST

The second round is under way

Cameron Davis, Rafael Campos and Austin Eckroat have teed off the first, and we are off and running.

12:42 PM BST

Jose Luis Ballester’s eventful day

Playing with Scottie Scheffler and Justin Thomas was always likely to be stressful for the Spanish US Amateur champion, but he probably didn’t expect to make headlines for having a Johnny Cash into Rae’s Creek. 

In case you missed the overnight news, Ballester admitted to urinating into Rae’s Creek after being caught short around Amen Corner. Ballester said he forgot about the portable toilet near the tee. 

He expressed little regret for his behaviour, with Oliver Brown writing that it was an act of desecration.

Ballester salvaged a round of 76 having been four over after five holes.

12:23 PM BST

The Masters cut

There has been plenty of tinkering down the years with the Masters cut rules, so for the avoidance of doubt: only the top 50 players and ties make it through to the weekend. The 10-shot rule is no more.

12:14 PM BST

Some notable numbers from yesterday

The strokes gained stats are rather revealing. Rose led the field by a stretch when it came to strokes gained putting, picking up more than five strokes against the field. Only two players gained more than three in that category. Is that sustainable? Rose’s strokes gained off the tee figure finished in the negative.

Strokes gained on approach shots are usually key to Masters success and the top five on the first day were: Matt McCarty, Harris English, Sergio Garcia, Tyrrell Hatton and Rose.

Ludvig Aberg and Rory McIlroy led the field when it came to strokes gained off the tee. There are few better sights in golf than those two in full flow with the driver.

The three best scramblers when it came to strokes gained around the green were: Maverick McNealy, Cam Smith and Aaron Rai.

Justin Rose of England reacts after his shot from the 14th tee
Rose missed quite a few fairways – Getty Images/Harry How

12:05 PM BST

Friday tee times

12.40pm
Cameron Davis, Rafael Campos, Austin Eckroat

12.51pm
Angel Cabrera, Laurie Canter, Adam Schenk

1.02pm
Jose Maria Olazabal, Thriston Lawrence, Brian Campbell

1.13pm
Bubba Watson, Mathieu Pavon, Evan Beck (A)

1.24pm
Tom Hoge, Matt McCarty, Christiaan Bezuidenhout

1.35pm
Charl Schwartzel, Denny McCarthy, Hiroshi Tai (A)

1.52pm
Max Homa, Justin Rose, JJ Spaun

2.03pm
Dustin Johnson, Nick Taylor, Justin Hastings (A)

2.14pm
Sergio Garcia, Lucas Glover, Daniel Berger

2.25pm
Patrick Cantlay, Rasmus Hojgaard, Matt Fitzpatrick

2.36pm
Brooks Koepka, Russell Henley, Sungjae Im

2.47pm
Adam Scott, Xander Schauffele, Viktor Hovland

2.58pm
Rory McIlroy, Ludvig Aberg, Akshay Bhatia

3.15pm
Hideki Matsuyama, Bryson DeChambeau, Shane Lowry

3.26pm
Jon Rahm, Wyndham Clark, Tommy Fleetwood

3.37pm
Sahith Theegala, Sepp Straka, Sam Burns

3.48pm
Davis Riley, Patton Kizzire

3.59pm
Kevin Yu, Jhonattan Vegas

4.10pm
Mike Weir, Michael Kim, Cameron Young

4.21pm
Zach Johnson, Joe Highsmith, Chris Kirk

4.38pm
Danny Willett, Nicolas Echavarria, Davis Thompson

4.49pm
Bernhard Langer, Will Zalatoris, Noah Kent (A)

5.00pm
Cameron Smith, JT Poston, Aaron Rai

5.11pm
Fred Couples, Harris English, Taylor Pendrith

5.22pm
Corey Conners, Brian Harman, Stephen Jaeger

5.33pm
Patrick Reed, Max Greyserman, Beyong Hun An

5.50pm
Robert MacIntyre, Billy Horschel, Nick Dunlap

6.01pm
Collin Morikawa, Joaquín Niemann, Min Woo Lee

6.12pm
Phil Mickelson, Jason Day, Keegan Bradley

6.23pm
Scottie Scheffler, Justin Thomas, Jose Luis Ballester (A)

6.34pm
Jordan Spieth, Tom Kim, Tyrrell Hatton

6.45pm
Tony Finau, Maverick McNealy, Thomas Detry

12:03 PM BST

Friday pin positions

12:02 PM BST

Can Rose extend his lead and straighten out his driving?

Good afternoon and welcome to our live coverage of Masters Friday, where overnight leader Justin Rose is among the early starters. 

Rose’s putter was red hot in an opening seven-under 65, which was good enough for a three-shot lead over Ludvig Aberg, Corey Conners and Scottie Scheffler. It is the fifth time in Rose’s career that he has posted the first-round lead at the Masters, a record, and he has finished runner-up twice at Augusta National. The closest Rose has come to a Green Jacket was 2017 when he lost in a play-off to Sergio Garcia. A couple of pushed tee shots right on the 17th and 18th were a cause for concern, but he has a chance to put daylight between himself and the field when he tees off at 1.52pm.

Rory McIlroy is also among the earlier starters at 2.58pm, as he looks to bounce back from two double bogeys in his final four holes yesterday. McIlroy was playing beautifully until a pitch shot from beyond the par five 15th came in hot and rolled into the water at the front of the green. If he can continue driving the ball as well, there should be birdie chances for him to move up the leaderboard again from level par. McIlroy’s painful last four holes turned a 67 into a 72. Alongside McIlroy is Aberg, who enjoyed a welcome return to form with a four-under 68. Aberg’s iron play has been strangely errant of late, but he loves Augusta having finished second on debut last year. 

Lurking with intent on the leaderboard is defending champion and World No 1 Scheffler who did not put a foot wrong in a bogey-free opening round. The American looks so comfortable around Augusta, with his distance control and short-game touch peerless. He continues to look the man to beat as he seeks to emulate Jack Nicklaus by winning a third Masters in four years. Scheffler would become just the fourth player to retain the title, after Nicklaus, Nick Faldo and Tiger Woods.

Two players who have been tormented by Augusta previously – Bryson DeChambeau and Tyrrell Hatton – made very solid starts at three under.

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