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It took Rory McIlroy 17 tries to win his first green jacket, finally breaking through last year. He is wasting no time in trying to win his second Masters title.
McIlroy, 36, shot a Friday-low 65 to move to 12-under and take a six-shot lead into Saturday. His six-shot lead is the largest second-round lead in Masters history.
McIlroy is just the fourth defending champion to hold the 36-hole lead in the year following his victory. Arnold Palmer did it three times (1959, 1961, 1965), while Ian Woosnam (1992) and Jordan Spieth (2016) did it once.
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Rory McIlroy waves after his putt on the 13th hole during the second round of the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Georgia on April 10, 2026. (Matt Slocum/AP Photo)
McIlroy is vying to become the fourth player to win the Masters two years in a row. Jack Nicklaus did it in 1965-66, Nick Faldo in 1989-90 and Tiger Woods in 2001-02.
The world No. 2 ended his second round by birdieing six of his last seven holes. Throughout the tournament, McIlroy has parred 18 holes, birdied 15 and registered just three bogeys.
McIlroy said he will try to keep his foot on the gas.
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Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland celebrates after a putt on the 16th hole during the second round of the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Georgia, on April 10, 2026. (Ashley Landis/AP Photo)
“Look, I’ve built up a nice cushion at this point,” McIlroy said. “I guess my mindset is just try to keep playing well and keep my feet on the ground.”
Sam Burns and Patrick Reed are tied for second, both at 6 under. Justin Rose, whom McIlroy defeated in a thrilling playoff last year to win the Masters, is tied for fourth at 5 under.
Shane Lowry and Tommy Fleetwood are also 5 under.
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Rory McIlroy watches his tee shot on the 12th hole during the second round of the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Georgia on April 10, 2026. (Eric Gay/AP Photo)
McIlroy is in the final pair, along with Burns, starting at 2:50 PM ET on Saturday. To keep his mind off golf, he will watch some tennis prior to his tee time.
“There are actually two really good semi-finals in Monte Carlo in tennis. So I want to see that,” McIlroy said. “We’ve been watching tennis early in the morning.”
