Rory McIlroy will head into the weekend of his Masters title defense with a record six-shot lead.
The reigning champion recorded six birdies in his last seven holes to card a 7-under-par 65 and hold the biggest 36-hole lead in Masters history.
His closest challengers are Sam Burns and Patrick Reed, who both finished today at 6 under par. Justin Rose, Tommy Fleetwood and Shane Lowry are a shot further back at 5 under par.
Bhatia’s Sand Save and Early Troubles
All things considered, that might be the shot of this year’s Masters from Akshay Bhatia.
As Daniel outlined earlier, it’s been a disastrous back nine for Bhatia while his playing partners Patrick Reed and Tommy Fleetwood have surged back into contention.
Bhatia gained six strokes over a four-hole span as his overall score ballooned all the way to 5 over. And there was more difficulty for him at 17 as he found the greenside bunker. But then Bhatia delivered a phenomenal shot out of the sand and into the cup for a massive birdie!
Akshay Bhatia was rolling along at 2 under for the tournament at the ninth hole. Then everything fell apart, and Bhatia is now 5 over and fighting to make the cut.
He had two bogeys and two double bogeys in a four-hole stretch starting on No. 10 to knock his round off the rails.
DeChambeau’s Difficult Day at Augusta
It was a disastrous end to the day for Bryson DeChambeau whose triple bogey on the 18th green meant he missed the cut for the third time at Augusta National.
This is quite the opportunity for Bryson DeChambeau to create separation between himself and the cutline on the par-5 15th.
After a booming drive, he places an iron shot on the back of the green to give himself a long but makeable look for eagle.
DeChambeau’s putt fades as it reaches the cup but he cleans up for birdie, improving to 3 over as he’s now two shots clear of the cut line.
Burns Finishes Strong
On his second shot of No. 18, Sam Burns hits a marvelous shot that lands on the green and rolls in the direction of the hole, eventually settling 10 feet from the pin. Burns nails the putt for his third birdie in four holes.
Other Notable Rounds
Scottie Scheffler also scuffled, carding 2-over-par on the day to go to even-par in the tournament. Jon Rahm recovered to 4 under to sneak inside the cut line.
The run of birdies for Rory McIlroy stops at two but he will be pretty glad to peel himself off the 14th green with a four on his card.
It was another attractive-looking tee shot but his approach, while onto the green, was really loose. It left him having to two putt from 65 feet to save par. But the first putt was great, leaving a kick-in for par.
And look at Cameron Young! His third birdie in a row and he is onto 3 under par for the week. That is a collection of shots the American will look back fondly on, three top-class strokes to take him into T12.
A par there for 18-year-old Mason Howell who is hanging on well at 9 over par.
Rory McIlroy will head into the weekend of his Masters title defense.