The Masters leaderboard is stacked heading into the weekend after what turned out to be one of the most thrilling Fridays in recent memory.
Rory McIlroy battled back after his first round collapse to shot a six-under round of 66, while Justin Rose continues to lead the way.
Scottie Scheffler, two-time winner of the Masters, shot a 71 to head into the weekend in contention. The likes of Shane Lowry, Tyrrell Hatton, Ludvig Aberg and Collin Morikawa are all in with a great chance at winning the competition.
Focus was on the 12 LIV Golf League players who would be competing at the first major of the year. It was a mixed bag at the halfway stage, however.
Phil Mickelson, Dustin Johnson, Cameron Smith, Brooks Koepka, and Sergio Garcia all missed the cut, despite having five green jackets between them.
Just who from the breakaway league has made the cut at the 2025 Masters?
Seven LIV Golfers made the cut at the 2025 Masters
Bryson DeChambeau – 2nd after 36 holes (-7)
Bryson DeChambeau is the highest LIV golfer in the leaderboard after two rounds, sitting just a single stroke behind Rose at seven-under.
A first round 69 was followed by a 68 on Friday which has put him right in contention to claim his first ever green jacket.
The only blemish on his card was a bogey at the par-3 16th on Friday. Other than that, the 2024 U.S. Open champion looks in excellent shape heading into the weekend.
Bubba Watson – T22 after 36 holes (-1)
Across five LIV Golf events this season, Bubba Watson finds himself ranked 36th in the individual standings. A T12 finish during the first event being his best result.
Thus, not much was expected of him at Augusta, despite the fact he has won the tournament twice (2012 and 2014) throughout his career.
Rounds of 71 and 72 have Watson at one-under par heading into the week, making his first cut since the 2022 edition. He wont win, yet if he puts together another two rounds under par, he could vault up the leaderboard.
Tyrrell Hatton – T5 after 36 holes (-5)
Out of all the LIV Golfers to play in the Masters this year, Hatton was certainly someone who had an excellent chance of winning.
His T9 finish at the 2024 event was his best ever result at Augusta National. This earned him an invitation for the 2025 edition and he is doing his best to ensure he might end up with a lifetime exemption.
A round of 70 on Friday could have been better. But he sits in a decent position to make a charge in the third round.
Patrick Reed – T12 after 36 holes (-3)
The 2018 champion has enjoyed a solid tournament thus far. Reed opened up with a 71 and followed this up with a two-under 70 during the second round.
The highlight was a delightful eagle on the par-5 second, pitching the ball over the bunker before it rolled straight into the hole.
Could he really threaten the leaders on Saturday? Only time will tell.
Jon Rahm – T42 after 36 holes (+2)
Rahm won this event in 2023 and seemingly had the world at his feet. Since moving to LIV, however, he hasn’t enjoyed the same success in the majors.
The Spaniard shot a shaky 75 on Thursday before rebounding with a 71 to make the cut on the number.
He will need to improve massively to move up the leaderboard over the weekend, that’s for sure.
Joaquin Niemann – T42 after 36 holes (+2)
Niemann was three-under through four holes on Thursday and it looked as though he could finish near the top of the leaderboard. Three bogeys followed over the next 14, however as he shot a 72.
It didn’t get better on Friday, shooting a disappointing 74 which enabled him to make the cut at +2.
Charl Schwartzel – T42 after 36 holes (+2)
Schwartzel looked down and out after an opening 74, but a rollercoaster round of 72 on Friday – featuring six birdies and six bogeys – ensured he made the weekend for the first time since 2023.
The 2011 champion knows how to get around Augusta. Now he needs to eliminate the dropped shots over the weekend.
