Rory McIlroy, the defending champion of the Masters, showcased an exceptional performance on the second day of the 2026 tournament, finishing with a score of 65 and reaching 12 under par. This remarkable round has given him a substantial six-shot lead over Patrick Reed, who is at seven under after dropping a shot on the last hole. McIlroy's round was highlighted by a stunning 30-yard chip-in on the penultimate hole, further solidifying his position as the frontrunner. Other notable players include Sam Burns, Justin Rose, Shane Lowry, and Tommy Fleetwood, all at five under. Despite facing criticism from Tom Watson regarding his return from the LIV Golf circuit, Brooks Koepka remains focused on his game. Jon Rahm managed to recover from a poor opening round to make the cut, but the tournament is currently being dominated by McIlroy, who is poised to become only the fourth player in history to win back-to-back Masters titles.