Masters 2025: Rose takes three-shot lead into Friday

Justin Rose takes a three-shot lead into the second round of the 2025 Masters Tournament after shooting a seven-under 65 at Augusta National on Thursday.

The Englishman opened his round with a three birdies in as many holes and finished with eight in total, with his only dropped shot coming at the 18th after spraying his drive into the trees.

Rose, a two-time runner-up at Augusta, is chasing his first major title since taking out the 2013 US Open, and a blustery forecast on Friday could aid his chances of retaining the lead heading into the weekend.

Even so, top golf betting sites are still offering juicy odds of +800 for the 44-year-old to go on and win the green jacket.

World No.1 Scottie Scheffler also made a strong start, carding a four-under 68 to sit alongside Ludvig Aberg and Corey Conners in a tie for second place.

Two-time US Open champion Bryson DeChambeau and Ryder Cup winner Tyrrell Hatton are one shot further back, while Jason Day is one of four players at two-under.

Scheffler heads into the second round as the clear title favorite at +225 with Nags.bet, followed by DeChambeau (+550) and Aberg (+750).

Meanwhile, it was a frustrating day for Rory McIlroy as he continues his chase for the one major title in golf that has eluded him.

The Irishman was cruising after 14 holes and looked poised to finish the day at four-under or better, but a pair of double bogeys in the last fours left him at even par and ruing what might have been.

Even though he sits seven shots off the pace, online bookmakers still have McIlroy well in the mix at +1400 outright odds.

At least he did not have it quite as bad as Nick Dunlap, who trails the field after shooting an 18-over 90 — making the 21-year-old American the youngest player, and the first in a decade, to hit that mark at the Masters.

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