McIlroy took a little while to warm up on the opening day but then found his stride, making five birdies over the final 11 holes to immediately set himself up as the man to catch once again and sit at the top of the leaderboard alongside Sam Burns at five-under.
World No 1 Scheffler and last year’s runner-up Rose will both begin round two at two-under, having faded towards the end of yesterday, while the trio of Patrick Reed, Jason Day and Kurt Kitayama are the nearest challengers to McIlroy and Burns at three-under.
The Masters 2026 – day twoPatrick Reed moves within one!
The American is now on -6, and -3 for the day, with a nice birdie at 12.
Norwegian Kristoffer Reitan continues his impressive charge, too – he’s five-under for the day and -5 overall, with another birdie – this time at 15.
Leaderboard: -7 McIlroy (9); -6 Reed (12);-5 Rose (F), Reitan (15) – 4 Hatton (F), Clark (F), Li (F), Day (12), Fleetwood (12)
Kieran Jackson10 April 2026 21:31
Kieran Jackson10 April 2026 21:20
The Masters 2026 – day twoA massive left-to-right putt for McIlroy, who plays it safe as he rolls it by the hole.
He’s on -7 as he completes his front-nine. Meanwhile, Fleetwood saves par at 11 – and finds the green safely at the par-3 12th hole.
Leaderboard: -7 McIlroy (9); -5 Rose (F), Reed (11) – 4 Hatton (F), Clark (F), Li (F), Reitan (14), Day (12), Fleetwood (11), Schauffele (10)
Kieran Jackson10 April 2026 21:19
The Masters 2026 – day twoTommy Fleetwood very irritated with his approach at 10, which he fades away from the hole.
Still, he’s so in contention here at -4.
Burns, meanwhile, drops another shot. Overnight leader is now -3, four off the lead.
Leaderboard: -7 McIlroy (7); -5 Rose (F), Reed (10) – 4 Hatton (F), Clark (F), Li (F), Reitan (14), Day (12), Fleetwood (10), Schauffele (10)
Kieran Jackson10 April 2026 21:11
The Masters 2026 – day twoSo close to a miraculous birdie for Rory!
After a tetchy build-up, his putt from off the green only JUST misses the hole!
He’s down on his haunches. Still, a solid par.
Jason Day, meanwhile, drops a shot. Now six players on -4.
Leaderboard: -7 McIlroy (7); -5 Rose (F), Reed (10) – 4 Hatton (F), Clark (F), Li (F), Burns (12), Day (11), Fleetwood (10)
Kieran Jackson10 April 2026 21:02
The Masters 2026 – day twoLovely 15-foot putt from Matt Fitzpatrick at 9 which takes him to +1.
McIlroy, in the sand at 8, just lays up to get to the fairway for the par 5.
Bit of trouble for the leader.
Leaderboard: -7 McIlroy (7); -5 Rose (F); Day (10); Reed (9) – 4 Hatton (F), Clark (F), Burns (11), Li (16); -3 Lowry (9), Griffin (F), Koepka (F), Gotterup (F), Homa (15)
(Getty Images)Kieran Jackson10 April 2026 20:52
The Masters 2026 – day twoStunning bunker shot from McIlroy, putting the ball two feet from the hole!
He saves par.
Near-misses for birdie for Day and Reed, while Burns drops a shot.
Leaderboard: -7 McIlroy (7); -5 Rose (F); Day (10); Reed (9) – 4 Hatton (F), Clark (F), Burns (11), Li (16); -3 Lowry (9), Griffin (F), Koepka (F), Gotterup (F), Homa (15)
Kieran Jackson10 April 2026 20:39
The Masters 2026 – day twoScotland’s Robert MacIntyre won’t be here for the weekend – he ends on +7.
Projected cut is currently +4. Ex-champion Danny Willett also heading home on +5, as it stands.
Kieran Jackson10 April 2026 20:38
The Masters 2026 – day twoRory in the bunker!
McIlroy duffs his second into the 7th bunker – work to do for par now.
Leaderboard: -7 McIlroy (6); -5 Rose (F). Burns (10); Day (9); Reed (8) – 4 Hatton (F), Clark (F), Li (16); -3 Lowry (9), Griffin (F), Koepka (F), Gotterup (F), Homa (15)
Kieran Jackson10 April 2026 20:35
The Masters 2026 – day twoAs soon as I state that eagle stat, Tommy Fleetwood goes and nails one at 8!
He’s up to -3.
Patrick Reed, meanwhile, joins the -5 club with a birdie at 8.
Now four players tied for second.
Leaderboard: -7 McIlroy (6); -5 Rose (F). Burns (10); Day (9); Reed (8) – 4 Hatton (F), Clark (F), Li (16); -3 Lowry (9), Griffin (F), Koepka (F), Gotterup (F), Homa (15)
(Getty Images)Kieran Jackson10 April 2026 20:27
