Rory McIlroy on a Masters heater: Defending champ breaks record for largest 36-hole lead at Augusta
Rory McIlroy on a Masters heater: Defending champ breaks record for largest 36-hole lead at Augusta originally appeared on The Sporting News . Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here . The 2026 Masters is starting to get a little out of hand, as Rory McIlroy has taken full control of the tournament.
McIlroy entered the day tied with Sam Burns at -5 for the lead and proceeded to create space between him and the rest of the field. In fact, McIlroy ended the day as strong as anyone, producing a tournament score of -12 and doubling the second-placeholder at this point. With the performance, McIlroy now has set records, both in general and by a defending champion through two days.
The Northern Irishman is now in prime position to take home a second green jacket and sixth ever major. Here's a breakdown of how McIlroy continued to make history at the Masters. SN's MASTERS HQ: Live Masters leaderboard | Masters TV coverage | Live streaming What is the record for largest 36-hole lead at the Masters?
Rory McIlroy now has the record for largest 36-hold lead at the Masters, taking a six-shot lead into Saturday. He beats several other players who previously led the tournament by five shots after Friday. Last year, McIlroy was just two-shots back from Justin Rose entering Sunday, so this is certainly a different kind of performance for the 2025 champion.
Largest 36-hole lead by a defending champion at the Masters McIlroy's tremendous first two days means he has now set the record for score by a defending Masters champion through 36 holes at -12. Previously, Ian Woosnam held the record after shooting a -9 through two days in 1992. Rory McIlroy’s 6-shot lead is the largest after 36 holes in Masters history.