Rory McIlroy misses cut in Augusta as Justin Rose maintains Masters lead

Rory McIlroy tees off on the fourth hole during the first round of the Masters golf tournament at Augusta National Golf Club, Thursday, April 8, 2021, in Augusta, Ga. (Curtis Compton/Atlanta Journal-Constitution via AP)

With lots of tea and no TV, Justin Rose slept on the second-largest first-round lead in tournament history and needed every bit of it to remain atop the leaderboard at 7-under par halfway through the 85th Masters.

Rose shot even-par 72 on a softer and more receptive course Friday while a host of players made big moves to line up close behind him at Augusta National Golf Club – 11 of them within the four shots Rose led by to start the day. His cushion was cut to one stroke by Masters rookie Will Zalatoris and late qualifier Brian Harman at 6-under, with 2015 champion Jordan Spieth and Marc Leishman tied fourth at 5-under.