Justin Rose insists there’s no extra pressure to avenge last year’s play-off heartbreak at The Masters, having charged into halfway contention at Augusta National.
A year on from narrowly missing out to Rory McIlroy at the first extra play-off hole, his third runner-up finish at The Masters, Rose is challenging for major victory again after rounds of 70 and 69 over the first two rounds.
Rose said after a bogey-bogey finish to Thursday’s first round that the past near-misses were “a lesson that I can win here”, with the Englishman mixing five birdies with two bogeys to set the early clubhouse target on Friday.
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Justin Rose shot a three-under 69 during his second round of The Masters.
“It [being in contention] is very satisfying,” Rose told Sky Sports. It’s a continuation of being on the leaderboard here, keeping the dream alive and continuing to enjoy this great tournament. That’s how it feels.
“I feel no added pressure or expectation because of what happened last year. I just always enjoy competing here. I’m enjoying the crowd, they seem to be pulling for me out there, so I’m using that as good energy.
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Speaking ahead of the 2026 Masters tournament, three-time runner-up Justin Rose suggested that Augusta doesn’t owe him anything
“Whenever I play well, I tend to play controlled golf and get pretty focused. The goal is just to try to keep it as free as I can as well. Don’t get too intense where you get in your own way, you’ve still got to keep it fun, light and aggressive, and keep it as loose as you can.”
The former world No 1 recovered from an opening-hole bogey to post four birdies in a five-hole stretch from the seventh, with Rose cancelling out a three-putt at the 12th by taking advantage of the par-five 15th on five under.
“I thought I actually executed the game plan pretty well today,” Rose added. We know what happened last night, last couple of holes, but it was tricky for everybody. At that point (after the first five holes) I really felt like things were feeling tough out there.
“I managed to hit an eight-iron close and make a good save at the fifth and that settled things down and really built the round back up from there. There were definitely some missed putts, but I really felt like I played well and I give myself credit for staying patient in that critical part of the round.”
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Rory McIlroy made three consecutive birdies at the start of his second round to jump ahead of the chasing pack
Hatton goes from ‘headless’ to contender
Fellow Englishman Tyrrell Hatton heads into the weekend a further shot back after racing up the leaderboard with a six-under 66, where he posted seven birdies before carding his only bogey at the par-four last.
“I would have loved to have made at least a par at the last – but there were a lot of positives today,” said Hatton, who posted his lowest career-round at Augusta and had described himself as ‘headless’ after a bogey the previous day. “Making seven birdies out there is not an easy thing to do.
Tyrrell Hatton is in contention to claim a maiden major title
“I am happy with how I played and hopefully I can play well this weekend. I don’t think me being patient and positive mix very well, but I will try my best. If I hit good golf shots, that is the best way to keep myself calm.
“I clearly haven’t learnt enough about Augusta with a three-putt at the last! This is my 10th time here and I feel more comfortable with a lot of the tee shots and the last few years I have driven the ball pretty well. My iron play was better today as well.”
Scheffler slips back after late bogeys
World No 1 Scottie Scheffler had been expected to close on the leaders, entering the second round within three of the lead, only to bogey both par-fives on the second nine of a two-over 74 on Friday.
“I felt like I was really challenging,” Scheffler said. “I played really pretty well. Today I felt like I played a lot better than my score.
Scottie Scheffler is looking to win The Masters for a third time
“I got off to a slow start. A few up and downs early that I should have had that I didn’t convert. Then I fought back to get it to even through I guess it was 12 holes.
“Then the fairway on 13, probably my only shot I would rather be able to hit again. Maybe a different decision there. That’s a tough shot, but I felt like I could make something happen to that pin.”
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