The Masters leaderboard after round two
Rory McIlroy turned a heart-racing collapse at Augusta into another major highlight in what might be the most memorable Masters in history. The Northern Irishman, who went 11 years without winning a major, hit a wedge into 3 feet for birdie in a sudden-death playoff with Ludvig Aberg to claim his fifth green jacket and join Tiger Woods, Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player and Ben Hogan as the only players to complete the career Grand Slam.
The Irishman had a double bogey at the 13th hole and a bogey at the 16th as he faded into the pack. But he saved his best for last on the final hole when he found the tributary of Rae’s Creek and faced a long par putt. He pumped his fist in celebration as the ball rolled toward the cup and stopped just short.
Aberg, who had been a shot behind McIlroy after the first round, was the only other player to shoot under par on Friday and is one shot back heading into the weekend. Two-time U.S. Open champion Bryson DeChambeau is also in a tie for third after he added to his first-round 69 with a second-round 68 at Augusta.
Former Masters champion Scottie Scheffler is another notable name in contention for the green jacket after a 1-under 71. The Oklahoman will play in Rose’s grouping on Saturday, while one-time Masters champion Shane Lowry is tied for sixth at six-under with Corey Conners, Matt McCarty and Tyrrell Hatton.