Rory McIlroy has roared back into Masters contention as runaway overnight leader Justin Rose saw his advantage evaporate at Augusta National.
England’s former world No.1 Rose carded a one-under-par 71 on Friday to reclaim the clubhouse lead at eight under, holing a clutch par putt on the last with his rivals circling.
Bryson DeChambeau (68) shot a four-under to finish a shot behind while Matt McCarty made history to finish at five under and world No.1 Scottie Scheffler was five under through seven holes.
Jason Day has quickly emerged as Australia’s main hope, skipping onto the front page of the leaderboard with three front-nine birdies to reach five under and sit in a tie for fourth.
Min Woo Lee (even) and Cameron Smith (two over) both had work to do on the back nine after losing ground.
Adam Scott (five over, 77, 72) looks set to miss the cut for the first time in 16 years while Cam Davis (nine under, 74, 79) finished close to last.
But all eyes are on world No.2 McIlroy, who wilted on Thursday with a duo of double bogeys after he had soared to four under to seemingly kiss his chances of a maiden green jacket – and career grand slam – goodbye.
But the Northern Irishman put that all behind him on Friday, steady before back-to-back birdies after the turn and an eagle on the par-five 13th shot him back into the guts of the leaderboard.
He then launched an audacious approach from the pine needles, over the towering trees, on the next hole that led to a tap-in par.
McIlroy edged a shot closer to the leaders with a birdie on the 15th – the par-5 he took seven on a day earlier – and finished just two shots off the pace.
Phoenix native McCarty (five-under) double-bogeyed the first hole and dropped another shot on the next, but still carded a four-under 68 to take a brief clubhouse lead.
The historic recovery included eight birdies in 12 holes, McCarty the first to shoot 68 or better in a round in which he was three-over or worse at any stage.
Former champion Scott, who declined requests for interviews post-round, has missed just two cuts in his 23-year Masters history.
