Europeans fare well in the Major

Rory McIlroy soars ahead in the 90th edition of the Masters Championship with a tremendous second round score of 65, 7-under par at Augusta National, Georgia, USA to take the lead on 12-under par.  The 36-year old defending champion from Northern Ireland is six shots clear of American Sam Burns, with whom he shared first place after day one, and Patrick Reed (USA) who finished in an impressive third spot last year.

 

McIlroy looks really at ease at Augusta National in the first Major of the season.  On day two he shot a superb 65 to add to his opening 67 for an historical 132-tally for 36 holes with an incredible nine birdies in his round.  Victory for McIlroy in this year’s Masters will secure him his sixth Major title.

 

Americans Sam Burns and Patrick Reed are nestled-in on 138.  England’s Justin Rose, with whom McIlroy had to beat in a thrilling play-off last year, lies-in a share of third place with Ireland’s Shane Lowry and Tommy Fleetwood one shot further behind.  In fact, Justin Rose has now been runner-up three times in the Masters without a victory.

 

England’s Tyrrell Hatton stormed ahead in the second round too when he shot a delightful round of 66 to share seventh place on 4-under with Wyndham Clark (USA), Haotong Li (China), Kristoffer Reitan (Norway), Jason Day (Australia) and Cameron Young (USA).

 

If you’re wondering what has happened to the World Number One Scottie Scheffler, well, he suffered a 2-over par 74 on day two.  The 29-year old American is in a share of 24th spot on level par.

 

Alas, the famous cut came at 149 yesterday whereby the top-50 players including ties stay in Georgia for the Masters at the weekend.  The other players head for home including past Champions like Bryson DeChambeau, Bubba Watson and J.J. Spaun.

 

Rory McIlroy is looking in fine form for the weekend’s golf at Augusta National.  Can the defending champion hang onto his lead to win back-to-back Masters?  If he does, then he’ll become only the fourth player in Masters history to do so.  The others were Jack Nicklaus (1965/1960), Nick Faldo (1989/1990) and Tiger Woods (2001/2002).  We wish Rory McIlroy all the luck in the world!

 

 

 

Wendy Hoad

Editor

 

MAIN PHOTOGRAPH:  Rory McIlroy stamps his mark on the 2026 Masters.