The 15th hole, a year after it played to a record-high scoring average of 5.137 in the second round, was only slightly easier in Thursday’s opening round of this Masters, yielding a 5.121 clip.
Drive with Precision: Seventh hole holds field to just two birdies in opening round
The par-4 7th hole made it nearly impossible for players to finish their first nine unscathed at Augusta National Thursday. The 450-yard "Pampas" registered two birdies and witnessed nearly three dozen bogeys. In this "Mercedes-Benz Drive with Precision," the Live From crew breaks down why the field suffered so much to hit the fairway here.
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McIlroy (67): Desire to win the Masters still very much there
Just because he's won the Masters doesn't mean Rory McIlroy doesn't want — badly — to win it again. He talks after his opening-round 67 at Augusta National.
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Scottie Scheffler recorded 10 consecutive pars on Friday at Bay Hill in route to a 1-under 71 for the second round. Scheffler sits 10 strokes off API leader Daniel Berger entering the weekend.
Despite sitting T-15, Scheffler was left demonstrably frustrated by Friday afternoon at the Arnold Palmer Invitational, as he’d seen enough of Bay Hill’s lightning-quick, borderline, nearly purply greens.
The 72-player signature event field has been cut after 36 holes at Bay Hill Club and Lodge. Here’s how to watch third round coverage of the Arnold Palmer Invitational.
Jacob Bridgeman and Chris Gotterup are headed to the Masters. They joined “Happy Hour with Smylie presented by Michelob Ultra” Friday at the Arnold Palmer Invitational to share their excitement ... and a little worry.
Shane Lowry chipped in for eagle on the par-5 12th Friday during “Happy Hour with Smylie presented by Michelob Ultra” coverage at the 2026 Arnold Palmer Invitational.
Daniel Berger knows what the leaderboard says: His 63 during the opening round at the Arnold Palmer Invitational is undoubtedly the better round than his 68 on Friday. Nonetheless, the four-time PGA Tour winner said he felt great in Round 2 and is confident heading into the weekend at Bay Hill.
Scottie Scheffler was visibly upset with his third shot on the ninth hole during the second round of the Arnold Palmer Invitational. He responded with a brilliant par-save putt to close out the front 9.
It was a rough return after four months away due to back surgery for Thomas, who carded back-to-back 79s and missed the Arnold Palmer Invitational cut by a mile.
McIlroy didn’t just try to recreate his iconic shot at Augusta National’s 15th hole during the final round of his Masters triumph. He hit an even better one.
Jordan Spieth cut his range session short Friday to join Golf Central Pregame after shooting a 1-under 71 during his second round at Bay Hill Club. Spieth (-1) is projected to make the cut at the 2026 Arnold Palmer Invitational.