Day two digest: 2020 Masters Tournament

Everything you need to know from day two at the final Major Championship of 2020.

A fantastic four hit the front, an Augusta great made history, a recent champion refused to crack under the pressure and Rory got an earful on an eventful second day of the 2020 Masters Tournament.

Here is everything you need to know from Friday at Augusta National.

Tight at the top........and in the middle

When World Number One Dustin Johnson birdied the 11th, 12th and 13th to move to ten under and take a three shot lead, the golfing Twittersphere was already measuring a Green Jacket. But this is Augusta and 14 holes later, while DJ was still top of the pile, he had plenty of company - with Abraham Ancer, Cameron Smith and Justin Thomas all also at nine under. Patrick Cantlay and Sungjae Im were in the clubhouse a shot back, with Jon Rahm and Hideki Matsuyama also at that mark with holes finish on Saturday. With 48 players yet to complete round two, there were 26 within five shots of the lead.

No driver, no problem as Willett makes big move

Danny Willett may not have had a driver but he still fired his lowest ever round at Augusta to put himself right in contention heading into the weekend at seven under. Incredibly, considering he famously pulled on the Green Jacket in 2016, Willett's only previous round in the 60s at the Masters was the closing 67 that brought him that maiden Major Championship four years ago. He went one better in round two in 2020 to move to seven under but remarkably did it without the club many consider to be their biggest weapon in the bag. "We cracked the face on the driver this morning on 17, so we played the second round with a three wood," he said. "It seemed to work quite well. You feel more comfortable with the three wood that we've used for a long time now, and you put a better swing on it. If you're not sure about a driver it's maybe not worth it, so we'll just have to wait and see." Maybe he's taking a leaf out of Henrik Stenson's book.

Langer can still cut it

Bernhard Langer declared he was going to have a celebratory shandy after becoming the oldest player in history to make the cut at the Masters. The German will forever be synonymous with Augusta, having won the Green Jacket in 1985 and 1993 and maintained a remarkable record well into his Seniors career. The 63-year-old finished in the top ten just six years ago and two years later had a very real chance of victory heading into the final 18 holes. This week, he fired an opening 68 to become just the second player in the last 30 years after Tom Watson to shoot a round in the 60s in his 60s at Augusta and, when he followed it with a 73, he assured he would be around for the weekend for the 27th time in his 37 appearances. "Let's have a toast to that," he said. "There have been so many great players here before me... from Jack Nicklaus to Gary Player to all the greats that have competed here, and to be the oldest to make the cut, it's certainly an achievement. Hopefully I get to play a few more years and enjoy this place." Cheers to that, Bernhard.

Fleetwood and Rose join the party

Both Tommy Fleetwood and Justin Rose have admitted that they have not played as they would have liked throughout this strange 2020 season but they had a pretty good day on Friday. Fleetwood fired a 66 to get to seven under and Rose joined him on that mark after a 70. "I've had some great spells but I've had some poor ones," said Fleetwood of his 2020. "And at the moment, I feel like I'm doing good things. I felt like I played really well today and that's kind of what I expected." Rose added: "I feel like I'm at 60 per cent but I know how to manage my way around here, so if that's the case I can still maybe do something this weekend even at that. I'm hoping each day I can get a little bit better. I'm feeling way more comfortable. I have a plan of what I'm trying to work on, just got to be patient with it, but it's coming." Ominous.

Words of wisdom for Rory

Rory McIlroy revealed a “colourful” pep talk helped him fire a second round 66 and catapult himself back into contention. The Northern Irishman had fired an opening 75 to sit ten shots off the lead and with just a short turnaround into round two due to Thursday's inclement weather, a change in momentum was needed and fast. McIlroy got just that as he fired a 66 to get to three under, and he revealed a frank discussion with friend and Augusta National member Jimmy Dunne may have been the key to his nine shot swing. “Jimmy gave me a pep talk in between rounds going on to the range,” he said. “It was colourful." It wasn't revealed what Dunne said but a career in motivational speaking could be on the cards should Rory complete the career Grand Slam on Sunday.

Glorious morning for super low scoring

There are many horticulture based names at Augusta National but Morning Glory is not one on the list. That is a shame because as the first round was finished up on Friday, the scoring was glorious. Smith led the charge as he moved from level par to five under in nine holes and history was made, with 51 players in red numbers after round one. That bettered the previous record of 47 under par scores from the second round in 1992.

When you're hot, you're hot

Im must have felt he was having a pretty good day when he chipped in at the tenth in round one for a birdie.

So how he felt when he did it again at the 15th in round two is anybody's guess.

Well played, sir.

Brace yourselves

We couldn't let Sandy Lyle's wardrobe this week slip under the radar. Whether these are a practical or a sartorial choice - Sandy, we salute you.