Rory McIlroy moves clear to strengthen grip on defence of Masters title

Rory McIlroy began to strengthen his grip on his defence of the Masters title after moving clear at the top of the second-round leaderboard at Augusta National.

Three successive birdies from the second had put him three clear on eight under but a poor chip at the fifth cost him a shot as he turned in 34.

The Northern Irishman produced the kind of flex associated with a career grand slam winner just as Ryder Cup team-mates Tyrrell Hatton and Justin Rose were closing out their rounds within a shot of the lead.

Hatton’s 66 moved him to four under, while Rose – loser in the play-off last year – reached five under, which had been the score to match at the top, with a 69.

But McIlroy was in no mood for challengers and a wedge to six feet after finding a fairway bunker at the second started his run of birdies.

He chipped to three feet after driving close to the front of the 350-yard third and, having flirted with the greenside bunker at the next, he rolled in a 22-foot putt to get to eight under and celebrate with a fist pump.

But he was fractionally out with his approach to the fifth and a clumsy chip from the fringe rolled nine feet past for bogey.

Patrick Reed, champion in 2018, closed to within one after three birdies in his first 12 holes, with Rose a shot further back but safely in the clubhouse after four birdies in five holes from the seventh boosted a round that was going nowhere.

The 45-year-old would give a shot back after going long at the par-three 12th, but a birdie on the 15th righted that mistake.

Patrick Reed's precise tee shot on No. 12 leads to a birdie. #themasters

Watch Inside Amen Corner: https://t.co/sNz8kSIrI9 pic.twitter.com/Cet5ODhYuv

— The Masters (@TheMasters) April 10, 2026

Rose said this year’s near