Shane Lowry: 'I felt like I did a lot of good things and my attitude was great'

McIlroy leads by six strokes from Sam Burns and 2018 champion Patrick Reed. Lowry shares the next spot with the English duo Justin Rose and Tommy Fleetwood

Shane Lowry of Ireland follows through on his drive off the 18th hole during the second round of The Players Championship golf tournament Friday, March 13, 2026, in Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

Two birdies in his last three holes saw Shane Lowry finish in a tie for fourth after a terrific second round at Augusta National.

Defending Masters champion Rory McIlroy thrilled the course with a seven-under-par 65 to move to a 12-under-par lead. It is the biggest 36 hole lead in Masters history. He is now firmly in the hunt to become the first player to successfully defend the title since Tiger Woods in 2002.