Top Groupings to Watch at 2026 Masters on Friday

Rory McIlroy, Jordan Spieth among featured pairings for Round 2 at Augusta National

Apr. 10, 2026 at 1:17am

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a fractured, multi-angled view of a golf tournament scene, with sharp planes of green, brown, and blue hues representing the lush fairways and bunkers of Augusta National.The Masters tournament's featured groupings on Friday promise an intense battle between some of golf's top stars as they vie for the coveted green jacket.Augusta Today

The 90th Masters tournament is underway in Augusta, Georgia, with the second round set to tee off on Friday morning. A field of 91 players will be competing, all with a chance to win the coveted green jacket. The tournament organizers have announced the featured groupings that will draw the most attention from golf fans on Day 2.

Why it matters

The Masters is one of the most prestigious events in professional golf, and the featured groups on Friday typically include some of the biggest names and top contenders. Tracking the performance of stars like Rory McIlroy and Jordan Spieth, as well as other top players, will give fans a sense of who the frontrunners are heading into the weekend rounds.

The details

The marquee grouping on Friday will feature Northern Ireland's Rory McIlroy, who is seeking to complete the career Grand Slam, paired with American Jordan Spieth, a former Masters champion. Other notable pairings include 2025 champion Scottie Scheffler with rising star Cameron Young, as well as fan favorites Justin Thomas and Xander Schauffele.

  • The 2026 Masters tournament began on Thursday, April 9th.
  • The second round is scheduled for Friday, April 10th.

The players

Rory McIlroy

A four-time major champion from Northern Ireland who is seeking to win the Masters to complete the career Grand Slam.

Jordan Spieth

An American golfer who won the Masters in 2015 and is looking to capture his second green jacket.

Scottie Scheffler

The defending Masters champion, having won the tournament in 2025.

Cameron Young

A rising American star who is making his Masters debut.

Justin Thomas

An American golfer and former PGA Championship winner who is a fan favorite at Augusta National.

Xander Schauffele

An American golfer who has finished in the top 10 at the Masters multiple times and is seeking his first major championship victory.

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What they’re saying

“The Masters is always a special event, and I'm excited to be back at Augusta National to compete for another green jacket.”

— Rory McIlroy

“It's an honor to be in the featured group on Friday. I'm going to try to soak up the atmosphere and enjoy the moment, but I'm also here to compete and hopefully make a run at the title.”

— Jordan Spieth

What’s next

The second round of the 2026 Masters will be played on Friday, April 10th, with the third round scheduled for Saturday, April 11th, and the final round on Sunday, April 12th.

The takeaway

The featured groupings on Friday at the Masters always generate significant interest, as fans get to see some of the biggest names in golf compete side-by-side. The pairings of McIlroy-Spieth and Scheffler-Young, in particular, will be must-watch television as the players look to position themselves for a run at the green jacket on the weekend.