Rory McIlroy leads The Masters tournament by six strokes after the second round, according to official sources. He delivered a rare golf show on Friday evening in Augusta, making six birdies on the last seven holes, and made a remarkable pitch on the 17th hole. McIlroy leads over the nearest chasing duo of Sam Burns and Patrick Reed, the official sources indicated.
McIlroy shot a five-under par 67 in the first round, sharing the lead with Sam Burns, according to multiple reports. That first-round 67 was his lowest opening round at Augusta since 2011, the reports noted. This strong start comes as McIlroy defends the title he won last year, giving him the chance to become only the fourth player ever to win the Masters back-to-back.
Only three players have achieved this feat: Jack Nicklaus, Nick Faldo, and Tiger Woods. With his victory last year, Rory McIlroy became the sixth man in history to complete the career Grand Slam. He ended an 11-year wait for a fifth major and completed the career Grand Slam.
However, McIlroy struggled in majors after winning the Masters, including a tied 47th at the US PGA Championship, according to multiple reports. McIlroy arrived early at Augusta for ceremonial duties as defending champion, a change from his usual routine, he said. He hosted the Champions' Dinner for the first time as defending champion, multiple reports confirmed.
McIlroy has impressed Augusta National members with his behavior as defending champion, including promoting the tournament globally, according to Brad Faxon and club members. Notable absences mark this year's Masters field. Tiger Woods is not playing due to a car crash and legal issues, and is undergoing treatment in Switzerland, according to multiple reports.
Phil Mickelson is not playing due to a family health matter, multiple reports indicated. The Masters field has 91 players, including six amateurs, and no debutant has won since 1979, according to multiple reports. The tournament is considered the easiest major to win due to its small field, but mentally challenging due to its history, multiple reports suggest.
According to research, there are just 18 multiple winners in the Masters' 91-year history. Among top contenders, Scottie Scheffler is a two-time Masters winner in the last four years and is world number one. According to research, Scottie Scheffler is the last man to join the club of multiple Masters winners in 2024.
Since Phil Mickelson won his third green jacket in 2010, there have been only three champions who are multiple winners: Bubba Watson (2014), Tiger Woods (2019), and Scottie Scheffler, research indicates. McIlroy has a tee time of 10:31am local time (3:31pm BST) for the first two rounds, playing with Cameron Young and Mason Howell, according to multiple reports. Mason Howell, the 2025 US Amateur winner, is playing with McIlroy and admires him as a childhood idol, Howell said.
The ceremonial starters for the Masters are Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player, and Tom Watson, according to multiple reports. McIlroy's dramatic final round from last year's Masters provides context for his current mindset. According to research, Rory McIlroy started last year’s final round with a two-shot advantage only to immediately lose it after a double bogey.
He was three clear as he walked down the par-five 13th fairway, research shows. McIlroy tried to play conservatively to protect his lead and promptly dumped a 90-yard pitch into Rae’s Creek for another double bogey, according to research. His approach to almost eagle the par-five 15th was memorably brilliant in a less-than-straightforward finish, research indicates.
Other notable players' performances include Ludvig Åberg at par (tied for 24th place), according to official sources, and Alex Norén four over par (tied for 47th place), the sources said. Justin Rose was beaten by McIlroy in a playoff in last year's Masters. Rory McIlroy is 36 years old, according to official sources.
The specific ceremonial duties McIlroy performed as defending champion have not been detailed, nor have the exact perks that come with being a Masters champion that he mentioned enjoying. The exact nature of Phil Mickelson's family health matter remains unknown, as does the specific treatment Tiger Woods is undergoing in Switzerland and his recovery timeline. With his six-stroke lead, McIlroy is positioned to potentially join golf's elite with a back-to-back Masters victory, a feat achieved by only three players in history.