NEWNow you can listen to Pak Gazette articles!
It took Rory McIlroy 17 tries to win his first green jacket and he finally broke through last year. He is wasting no time trying to win his second Masters title.
McIlroy, 36, shot a Friday-low 65 to move to 12 under and take a six-stroke 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 a year after his victory. Arnold Palmer did it three times (1959, 1961, 1965), while Ian Woosnam (1992) and Jordan Spieth (2016) did it once.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON PakGazette.Com
Rory McIlroy salutes 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 in two consecutive years. Jack Nicklaus did it in 1965-66, Nick Faldo in 1989-90 and Tiger Woods in 2001-02.
The world No. 2 finished his second round by birdieing six of his last seven holes. Over the course of the tournament, McIlroy parred 18 holes, birdied 15 and recorded just three bogeys.
McIlroy said he will try to keep his foot on the accelerator.
SCOTTISH GOLFER ROBERT MACINTYRE SHOWS A LESCIVE GESTURE AT THE MASTERS
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 created a good cushion right now,” McIlroy said. “I guess my mentality is just to try to keep playing well and keep my foot on the gas.”
Sam Burns and Patrick Reed are tied for second place, both at 6 under par. 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 at 5 under.
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE Pak Gazette APP
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 pairing, alongside Burns, and will tee off at 2:50 pm ET on Saturday. To take your mind off golf, you’ll catch some tennis before your tee time.
“There are actually two really good semi-finals in Monte Carlo in tennis. So I’ll be keeping an eye on that,” McIlroy said. “We’ve been watching tennis early in the morning.”
