Scoring conditions were near-perfect for Friday’s second round at the Masters, as overnight rain softened Augusta National, setting the stage for a flurry of low scores and leaderboard shake-ups. While Justin Rose maintained his lead, his challengers have closed in—turning the weekend into a high-stakes chase for the coveted green jacket.
Rose, who dazzled with a strong opening round, carded a 1-under-par 71 on Friday, keeping his position at the top but revealing signs of vulnerability. Despite his steady play, bogeys peppered his round, opening the door for rivals including Bryson DeChambeau and Rory McIlroy to draw closer.
DeChambeau, a two-time major winner, was electric from the outset, finishing the round at 4-under par. He now trails Rose by just one stroke. McIlroy, recovering from a rough first round that included multiple double bogeys, rebounded spectacularly with a 6-under-par 66, putting himself just two shots back.
“This is the company I expect to keep,” said Rose, reflecting on his position among the game’s elite. “I’ve been a top-10 player for over a decade, so it’s nice to be back in the mix.”
Saturday’s tee times see McIlroy begin at 2:30 p.m. ET, followed by DeChambeau and Rose at 2:40 p.m.
McIlroy and DeChambeau Surge into Contention
McIlroy’s turnaround on Friday was one of the highlights of the day. After a disappointing back nine on Thursday, the Northern Irishman credited a mental reset—highlighted by time with his daughter—for helping him regroup.
“I rushed home last night to see Poppy before bed. That helped me take my mind off the game,” he said. “I just did a good job of resetting.”
Meanwhile, DeChambeau, who plays for LIV Golf, exuded confidence about his chances. “It takes a little bit of luck and a great skill set,” he said. “I feel like I’m in a great place.”
Canada’s Corey Conners remains firmly in the hunt, sitting tied for third at 6-under. A cluster of top players including Tyrell Hatton, Matt McCarty, Shane Lowry, and world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler are just behind.
Scheffler Struggles to Find Rhythm
After a flawless first round, Scheffler stumbled on Friday with four bogeys on the back nine, including a difficult 18th hole where he was forced to punch out from the trees on his knees.
“Golf is a day-to-day game,” Scheffler admitted. “Yesterday I felt sharp. Today, not as much.”
Scheffler, aiming to become the first back-to-back Masters winner since Tiger Woods in 2002, will tee off at 2:10 p.m. ET Saturday.
Langer Bows Out with Grace
Augusta also bid farewell to 67-year-old Bernhard Langer, who missed the cut at 3-over but received a heartfelt send-off in what he had confirmed would be his final Masters. The two-time champion saluted the crowd before exiting the course, leaving behind a legacy that spanned over four decades and 41 tournament appearances.
