Rory McIlroy takes largest 36-hole lead in Masters history after incredible finish to second round

It took Rory McIlroy 17 attempts to triumph his archetypal Green Jacket, yet breaking done past year. He is wasting nary clip successful trying to triumph his 2nd Masters title.

McIlroy, 36, changeable a Friday-low 65 to determination to 12-under and instrumentality a six-shot pb into Saturday. His six-shot pb is the largest second-round pb successful Masters history.

McIlroy is conscionable the 4th defending champion to clasp the 36-hole pb the twelvemonth aft his victory. Arnold Palmer did it 3 times (1959, 1961, 1965), portion Ian Woosnam (1992) and Jordan Spieth (2016) did it once.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM

Rory McIlroy waves aft his putt connected the 13th spread during the 2nd circular of the Masters Tournament astatine Augusta National Golf Club successful Augusta, Georgia, connected April 10, 2026. (Matt Slocum/AP Photo)

McIlroy is vying to go the 4th subordinate to triumph the Masters successful 2 consecutive years. Jack Nicklaus did it successful 1965-66, Nick Faldo successful 1989-90, and Tiger Woods successful 2001-02.

The satellite No. 2 ended his 2nd circular by birdieing six of his past 7 holes. Throughout the tournament, McIlroy has parred 18 holes, birdied 15 and recorded conscionable 3 bogeys.

McIlroy said helium is going to effort to support his ft connected the gas.

SCOTTISH GOLFER ROBERT MACINTYRE FLASHES LEWD GESTURE AT MASTERS

Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland celebrates aft a putt connected the 16th spread during the 2nd circular of the Masters Tournament astatine Augusta National Golf Club successful Augusta, Georgia, connected April 10, 2026. (Ashley Landis/AP Photo)

"Look, I’ve built up a bully cushion astatine this point," McIlroy said. "I conjecture my mindset is conscionable trying to support playing good and keeping my ft connected the gas."

Sam Burns and Patrick Reed are tied for second, some astatine 6 under. Justin Rose, who McIlroy defeated successful a thrilling playoff past twelvemonth to triumph the Masters, is successful a necktie for 4th spot astatine 5 under.

Shane Lowry and Tommy Fleetwood are besides 5 under.

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP

Rory McIlroy watches his tee changeable connected the 12th spread during the 2nd circular of the Masters Tournament astatine Augusta National Golf Club successful Augusta, Georgia, connected April 10, 2026. (Eric Gay/AP Photo)

McIlroy is successful the last pairing, alongside Burns, and volition tee disconnected astatine 2:50 p.m. ET connected Saturday. To support his caput disconnected golf, helium volition ticker immoderate tennis up of his tee time.

"There’s really 2 truly bully semifinals astatine Monte Carlo successful the tennis. So I’ll ticker that," McIlroy said. "We’ve been watching the tennis aboriginal successful the mornings."

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Follow Fox News Digital’s sports sum connected X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.