Friday, Round 2

AUGUSTA, GA

"I think this one. I think when you've had the experiences that I've had around here, good and bad, I think that can stand to you. You come back -- the other major venues, we don't go back to the same place every year. So I think that is something I feel like I'm still young, but I'm very experienced. I've been doing this for a long time. This is my 18th start." - Rory McIlroy on Tuesday when he was asked which of the four favors his game in the future.

More input from Keith on the grounds at Augusta National Golf Club, Joe, and John. Anyone under par will have a chance this weekend with the golf course conditions. Fifty-four players made the cut. Get ready for the heat and Moving Day at The Masters.

Round 2 summary:

• 1st place: Rory McIlroy (-12, 67-65=132)
• Scoring averages (Rd. 2):
  • (Rd 2: 72.85, 2025: 72.67, 2024: 75.08, 2023: 73.30, 2022: 74.61, 2021: 72.33)
  • First nine scoring average: 36.36, second nine: 36.48
  • Morning wave: 36.96 (+0.23), afternoon wave: 36.73
  • Hardest hole: #4 (3.31), easiest hole: #8 (4.62)
  • The Field was 77 over par today with 4 eagles, 300 birdies, 301 bogeys, and 40 double bogeys or worse!
  • Cutline: +4, 2025: +2, 2024: +7, 2023: +4, 2022: +5, 2021: +1
• Strokes gained T2G leaders through round two:
  • Rory McIlroy, Wyndham Clark, Tyrell Hatton, Justin Rose, Sam Burns,
• Betting favorites after Round 2:
  • Rory McIlroy (-250), Patrick Reed (+1600), Tommy Fleetwood (+1950), Justin Rose (+2200), Sam Burns (+2250)
• Conditions: High of 74 degrees, wind 4-6 mph ENE

Looking ahead to "Moving Day"

Between the lines...

• "I was surprised at the greens. You know, I felt like the greens would get firmer as the week went on, but I think they may have saw how difficult it was late in the day yesterday that they -- it felt like they softened them up a bit today, but I couldn't imagine them doing that the rest of the weekend." - Scottie Scheffler, following round two discussing how difficult the course may get over the weekend.
• As the golf course continues to become more difficult, par 5 scoring becomes more (and more) important. With so few scoring chances on the 3s and 4s, our winner will have propelled himself to the top of the leaderboard by his scoring average on the par 5s.
  • Par 5 birdie percentage leaders, top 5: 88% - Rory McIlroy, 75% - Brooks Koepka, Russell Henley, 63% - Justin Rose, Cameron Young, Ben Griffin, Max Homa, Jake Knapp, Harris English, Kurt Kitayama
• "I've spent a lot of time up here over the past three weeks. Even though I haven't played tournament golf, I feel like being up here a lot and playing, I've prepared as well for this Masters as any other that I've played. I think all that work around the greens over the last three weeks has certainly paid off over the last two days." - Rory McIlroy on his preparation for The Masters
  • SG:ARG leaders through two rounds of those who made the cut: Rory McIlroy, Sergio Garcia, Corey Conners, Wyndham Clark, Tyrell Hatton
• Two titans of the game, mirroring each other on the odds board, and familiar with dueling in Majors, are worlds apart at Augusta. Both titans with the Driver, Bryson, outperformed Rory McIlroy with the big stick, but it’s Rory that won the head-to-head battle by 16 strokes through 36 holes. It provides further proof that success at The Masters starts with the second shots. (Joe)
• Freedom remains the greatest advantage one can bring with themselves to Augusta National. Not needing a Masters win is one of the many reasons former champions continue to mix at this event year over year. Rory McIlroy is playing like a man who has nothing to lose as he carries a record-setting 6-stroke lead into the weekend. (John)
• If you’re looking for a chaser who can get hot on moving day, Chris Gotterup may be your guy. His 3-under 69 included 7 birdies, two of which came on the final two holes. The debutant has proven his nerve against McIlroy before, and has my attention on the weekend. (Joe)
• Par 5 scoring is a scrambling stat at Augusta National. Rory McIlroy’s dominance has come despite missing the fairway on every par 5, all eight of them. The ability to consistently get up and down from inside 100 yards has been the difference in McIlroy’s dominance thus far. (John)
• "I am, actually. Especially went to the toilet last night a lot of times, and this morning when I got to the golf course and still feeling really bad and kind of, like, live in the toilet. I didn't hit many balls on the driving range. I was feeling really, really bad. No energy, fuzzy, want to throw up something. I actually just planned to play a few holes, see how it goes. If really sick, then I probably just decide not to. So glad I survived today." - Haotong Li on feeling ill.

For those familiar with our weekly content, you know there are always a couple of live adds. Keep reading for RTL's Saturday card.

Live Betting - The Masters

Saturday card: J. Knapp over B. Griffin (-124 DK) C. Gotterup over B. Koepka (+106 DK) P. Cantlay over S. Im (-125 FD)

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