Every year, golf fans hope to get a battle on the weekend between some of the biggest stars in the sport at the biggest tournaments on the calendar. At The 89th Masters Tournament, they are getting heir wish.
As Friday’s second round winds down, almost all of the stars are near the top of the leaderboard and are having very strong starts at Augusta National.
Justin Rose is in the lead at 8-under par after following up his flaming-hot 65 on Thursday with a modest, methodical 71 on Friday.
Rose better keep looking forward, because arguably the three best golfers in the world are right on his tail. Rory McIlroy, Bryson DeChambeau and Scottie Scheffler are all chasing him.
AUGUSTA, GEORGIA – APRIL 11: Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland tees off on the 18th hole during the second round of the 2025 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 11, 2025 in… AUGUSTA, GEORGIA – APRIL 11: Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland tees off on the 18th hole during the second round of the 2025 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 11, 2025 in Augusta, Georgia. Photo by David Cannon/Getty Images
McIlroy is having one of the best rounds on the course on Sunday, finishing with a 6-under 66 after collapsing into a 72 on Thursday.
Scheffler is still on the first nine, but the defending champion is charging toward the top at 5-under for the tournament through 10 holes on Friday.
DeChambeau is also finishing up from the morning wave but has put together two very strong rounds, including a great birdie at 17 on Friday to sit at 7-under-par through 36 holes.
Behind those three, there are multiple very talented players trying to get into the mix. Shane Lowry sits at 5-under-par, three shots off the lead, while Viktor Hovland shot an impressive 69 to move to 4-under. Former PGA Champion Jason Day is also in the mix at 5-under as he plays in the afternoon wave on Friday.
Other names that are under par heading into the weekend are Ludvig Aberg, 2023 champion Hideki Matsuyama, Collin Morikawa and Xander Schauffele. With all of this talent scoring well at Augusta National, there could still be plenty of movement coming on moving day.
More Golf: Rory McIlroy Skies up Masters Leaderboard After Wild Pine Straw Eagle
