Rose still sets Masters pace as McIlroy roars back

Justin Rose continued his quest for a maiden Masters triumph at the age of 44 with a solid second round while Rory McIlroy raced back into contention at Augusta National.

Veteran Englishman Rose, whose only previous major title came at the 2013 US Open, carded four birdies and three bogeys in a one-under 71 to set the clubhouse target at eight under.

McIlroy carded a superb six-under 66 to to move two behind his European Ryder Cup team-mate.

In between them is American superstar Bryson DeChambeau who followed his opening 69 with a 68 to sit at seven under.

Ireland's Shane Lowry also shot a 68 and is in a group on five under alongside Augusta debutant Matt McCarty.

Norway's Viktor Hovland and Denmark's Rasmus Hojgaard are four under after 36 holes.

World number one Scottie Scheffler is among the later starters, who are facing windier conditions as they try to hunt down Rose, or avoid the cut, with the top 50 and ties making it through to the final two rounds.

"If [winning the Masters] was a secret recipe, you'd know it by now," said Rose.

"The leaderboard is stacking up with world-class players.

"So you're going to have to play great golf, and you're going to have to go out there and want it and go for it and get after it. It's as simple as that."

Rose has put together a stellar career, in which he has secured 25 professional wins, topped the world rankings and spearheaded Ryder Cup success - but fallen agonisingly short at Augusta on several occasions.

Without a tournament victory since February 2023, and a catalogue of missed cuts since, few would have backed Rose to be in such a strong position at the halfway stage.

Finding consistency throughout recent seasons has been difficult.

But, as he did when coming through qualifying to finish second at last year's Open Championship, Rose has demonstrated again at Augusta National that he retains the hunger and heart to challenge for the biggest prizes.

It is a testament to his quality, experience and nous around one of golf's most testing courses that he goes into the weekend with a fighting chance of victory.

"I think my good is good. I feel like I'm showing much more quality this year in my game than I have done the past couple years," said Rose.

Rose was the overnight leader after a majestic opening 65 where he threatened to challenge the course record of 63.

Failing to back up strong starts at the iconic venue has been a common theme for the former world number one, however.

Rose's putter was red hot on the opening day, leading the strokes gained on the green by a substantial margin, and enabling him to open up a three-shot lead.

From tee to green he was always not as precise, however, and that continued on Friday as his short game helped keep him ahead of the chasing pack.

Rose secured birdies on the second, eighth, 12th and 16th holes, with his wedge coming to his rescue on the par-three fourth – after he skied his tee shot and fell 55 yards short of the green.

"It was a decent day. My wedge kept me in a good spot," he added.

Before this week's tournament, McIlroy discussed his pride at showing "resilience from setbacks" in his career.

This was another example of his ability to bounce back.

When the world number two spoiled what had been a serene opening round with a pair of late double bogeys, it felt like a terminal blow to his chances of finally landing the Green Jacket.

The mistakes on the 15th and 17th holes left him seven shots adrift of Rose.

Only two men in history have come from that far behind after 18 holes to win - Nick Faldo in 1990 and Tiger Woods in 2005.

Then again, this is McIlroy. A player who rarely does anything conventionally and is a magnet for drama.

Like he has done several times in the past at Augusta, he showed insatiable spirit on Friday to play himself back into contention.

McIlroy made a fast start with a birdie on the par-five second, despite needing to chip out from behind a tree with his second shot.

While he was unable to make any further headway on the first nine, the four-time major champion reignited his challenge after the turn.

Back-to-back birdies on 10 and 11 encouraged McIlroy before a stunning eagle on the par-five 13th - having knocked a risk-reward long iron out of the pinestraw on to the green - accelerated his recovery.

More creative craft saw him to recover from another wayward drive on 14, knocking another iron out of the pinestraw and through hooded branches to escape with a par.

Redemption came at 15 in the form of another birdie before he safely negotiated the final three holes without dropping a shot.

This year, unlike others, his revival is not too late.