Justin Rose clings to slender lead at Masters as Bryson DeChambeau closes in

Rory McIlroy and Scottie Scheffler stay in the hunt for historic Masters triumphs.

Justin Rose of England stands on the first tee during the third round of the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 12, 2025, in Augusta, Georgia. Photo by Ben Jared/Getty Images

By Anna Fadiah and Hayu Andini

Justin Rose holds a narrow one-stroke lead at the halfway point of the 2025 Masters, with Bryson DeChambeau hot on his heels and a stacked field of elite golfers—including Rory McIlroy and Scottie Scheffler—preparing for a dramatic weekend at Augusta National. The Masters 2025 leaderboard is tight, the competition is fierce, and the chase for the green jacket is heating up.

For Rose, who turns 45 in July, this moment is a return to the spotlight. The 2013 U.S. Open champion carded a solid 71 in his second round, bringing his total to eight-under-par 136 after 36 holes. That score was good enough to maintain the lead, albeit a precarious one, as DeChambeau surged with a four-under 68. It was a statement round for the 30-year-old American, who became the only golfer so far this week to shoot two sub-70 rounds.

"It's stacking up with world-class players right up there," Rose said after his round, acknowledging the challenge that lies ahead. "You’ve got to get after it. You can’t play safe around here."

Indeed, Rose has been in this position before—leading the Masters through 36 holes for the third time in his career—but this time, with a packed leaderboard and younger challengers pressing forward, he knows the task ahead will require both patience and precision.

A weekend filled with drama and historic possibilities

The focus at Augusta National isn’t solely on Justin Rose. Bryson DeChambeau trails by just one stroke and enters the third round as the most consistent performer of the tournament so far. Known for his power-driven, scientific approach to golf, DeChambeau is relishing the pressure.

"This is what golf is about," he said. "You’ve got a lot of great names up there. I’m looking forward to an unbelievable test of golf."

Tied just one shot behind DeChambeau are Rory McIlroy and Canadian Corey Conners, both at six-under. McIlroy, once again chasing the elusive green jacket that would complete his career Grand Slam, is showing renewed energy and composure. Despite being his 11th attempt, this Masters might just be his best shot yet.

Scheffler, the defending champion and world number one, sits at five-under after a second-round 71. His round was marked by five bogeys but also several clutch recoveries, especially in the blustery Friday afternoon conditions. Sharing his position on 139 are Matt McCarty, Tyrrell Hatton, and former Open champion Shane Lowry.

"Conditions were tough out there," Scheffler admitted. "We’ve got a great golf course. The greens will be firmer. There’s a lot of good players. Should be a fun weekend."

Should Scheffler defend his title, he would join the elite company of Jack Nicklaus, Nick Faldo, and Tiger Woods—golfing legends who have won back-to-back Masters titles.

The field tightens as stars rise

While Rose and DeChambeau draw much of the attention, the rest of the field is loaded with talent. Sixteen players are within five shots of the lead, and nine of them are major champions. That’s a recipe for a thrilling third round.

Australian Jason Day, who nearly won the Masters in 2011 and claimed the 2015 PGA Championship, is among the contenders at four-under. He shares that spot with Norway's Viktor Hovland and Denmark’s Rasmus Hojgaard. All three are proven competitors with the skill and grit to mount a weekend charge.

Day expects Saturday—the traditional "moving day"—to be especially grueling.

"The greens will be firm, and the guys who can hit it long are going to have an advantage," he said. "You have to survive Saturday. Then if you’re in position on Sunday’s back nine, anything can happen."

Forecast, form, and final thoughts

The weather forecast promises a perfect backdrop for golf drama, with mostly sunny skies and light breezes. That could mean firmer greens and more challenging pin placements, especially on Saturday. Augusta National is notorious for making the third round the most difficult, where the course bites back at even the best in the world.

For Justin Rose, the challenge is not only physical but also mental. He knows what it’s like to contend at Augusta, having finished second to Sergio Garcia in a 2017 playoff. That painful loss still lingers, but it also fuels his fire.

Twelve years removed from his lone major win, Rose appears poised for a return to the top. But with DeChambeau bombing drives down the fairway, McIlroy chasing history, and Scheffler locked in despite Friday’s struggles, there’s no room for error.

And then there’s the intangible—Augusta magic. Every year, something unpredictable happens. A rookie surges. A veteran rallies. A miracle shot turns the tide. This Masters is shaping up to deliver all of that and more.

As Saturday’s final group tees off at 2:40 p.m. local time, all eyes will be on Rose and DeChambeau. But with so many contenders lurking, Augusta’s weekend stage is set for a classic.

Whether it’s a long-awaited coronation for Rose, a validation of DeChambeau’s evolution, or McIlroy’s redemption arc, the next 36 holes will be decisive.

In golf, nothing is promised—especially not at Augusta National. But one thing is certain: the Masters 2025 leaderboard will keep shifting, and the chase for the green jacket is far from over.