The Masters: How to watch, betting odds for golf's first major of 2026

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AUGUSTA, Ga. (AP) — Rory McIlroy incinerated the back nine with a birdie binge at Augusta National on Friday to build a six-shot lead after 36 holes at the Masters.

The defending champion from Northern Ireland shot 65 and is looking almost unbeatable at 12-under 132 heading into the third round. The biggest drama remaining might be whether McIlroy can threaten Tiger Woods' record 12-stroke win over Tom Kite at the 1997 Masters.

Patrick Reed and Sam Burns are both six shots behind McIlroy at 6 under, while Justin Rose, Shane Lowry and Tommy Fleetwood are seven back. The biggest second-round mover, other than McIlroy, was Tyrell Hatton, who shot 66 to get to 4 under for the tournament.

Saturday is expected to be another hot, dry day with temperatures reaching 85 degrees Fahrenheit (29 Celsius).

Here's what you need to know entering the third round of the Masters.

Bryson DeChambeau, who had won his last two LIV Golf tournaments and was considered one of the favorites coming into the week, missed the cut by two strokes after a triple bogey on the par-4 18th hole.

The cut line was 4-over 136.

Jon Rahm, the 2023 Masters champion, played his way into the weekend by rebounding from a birdie-free opening-round 78 with a 70 on Friday to make the cut on the number. Rahm was one 54 players from 15 countries to make the cut.

The third round begins at 9:31 a.m. EDT Saturday, when the pairing of Kurt Kitayama and Alex Noren tees off. McIlroy goes off at 2:50 p.m. and will be playing with Burns.

Here are the tee times.

Paramount+ will get coverage started at noon, and CBS will carry live tournament coverage from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m.

But that’s not all.

The Masters offers live video channels with a menu that includes featured pairings; live action from the fourth, fifth and sixth holes; Amen Corner (Nos. 11-13); and the 15th and 16th holes. Amazon Prime Video will have a stats-enhanced stream on Amen Corner.

Scottie Scheffler was hoping to continue his run of Masters championships in even-numbered years after winning green jackets in 2022 and 2024, but he could never get his game on track Friday and shot a 2-over 74 that featured bogeys on both par 5s on the back nine, leaving him a dozen shots behind McIlroy.

Not surprisingly, the odds of winning the Masters are now heavily tilted in McIlroy's favor.

McIlroy, who started the tournament at +1700, is the now the overwhelming favorite to win at -275, according to BetMGM Sportsbook. He’s followed by Reed (+1600), Tommy Fleetwood (+1800) and Rose (+2000).

Scheffler, the pre-tournament favorite at +600, is now listed at +5000.

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AP golf: https://apnews.com/hub/golf