Bryson DeChambeau, Max Homa and Scottie Scheffler weathered a wild windy day seldom seen at Augusta National to share the Masters second round lead while Tiger Woods targeted a sixth Green Jacket after claiming another major record.
First round leader DeChambeau had looked poised to spend another night alone atop the leaderboard until a bogey at the 18th left the 2020 US Open champion with a one-over 73 and a two-day total of six-under 138.
Scheffler also had a chance to take solo possession of top spot, the world number one cruising along with a one-shot lead until running into trouble where so many have at par five 13th.
Landing his approach in Rae’s Creek, Scheffler did well to escape with bogey, then playing error free to the finish signing for an even par 72. Homa, who had never broken 70 at Augusta until wrapping up his weather-delayed first round on Friday morning with a five-under 67, was quickly back out on the course and on the move with birdies at the second and fourth.
From there the 33-year-old American went into full damage control mode, carding 13 pars and a single bogey to happily sign for a one-under-71 as gusting winds and firming conditions limited scoring chances.
Masters debutant Nicolai Hojgaard of Denmark continued to display nerves of steel, battling to a one-over 73 to sit alone in fourth at four-under with Australian Cam Davis (72) and Collin Morikawa (70) one further back.
Only eight players managed to break par on a sun-kissed day of devilish winds that most said they had never experienced before at Augusta National.
At times golfers appeared to be playing in a sandstorm, the wind whipping up clouds of sand from the bunkers.
“It was extremely challenging,” said Scheffler. “The winds were up very high, and it blows from everywhere out here.
“I couldn’t really describe how windy it is and how difficult the gusts are just because I think you have to be out there and experience it.”
As always the spotlight was on Tiger Woods as he scrapped his way to an even par 72, securing him a record 24th consecutive made cut at Augusta National.
The 15-time major winner has made a career of proving doubters wrong and did so again behind a performance of pure grit, grinding out a midway total of one-over 145 to easily clear the six-over cut line.
Woods has a long list of magical Masters moments and conjured up one more on Friday, and then immediately set a new target – a record-equalling sixth Green Jacket.
“I’m in the ball game,” said Woods. “I have a chance going into the weekend. I’m here.
“I have a chance to win the golf tournament.”
The 48-year-old arrived at the year’s first major facing a challenge that was certain to test his will and injury-battered body, the most recent ankle surgery last April.
Coming into Augusta, Woods had played just 24 holes this year and had to play nearly as many on a marathon Friday that began with completing the last five holes of his weather-delayed opening round for a one-over 73, followed immediately by another 18.
Under brilliant blue skies, Woods was clearly up for the fight and he mixed four birdies with the same number of bogeys through a rollercoaster round.
Rory McIlroy’s bid to complete the career Grand Slam remains alive but just barely after the Northern Irishman laboured to a five-over 77 that did not include a single birdie.
The world number two finished with a two-day total of four-over to sneak in under the six-over cut but was not ready to wave the white flag even if a massive 10 back of the lead.
“I won from 10 back in Dubai at the start of the year,” said McIlroy. “I still think I can go out tomorrow and shoot a low one, get back into red numbers, and have half a chance going into Sunday.”
Jon Rahm was not quite as optimistic at a successful defence of this Masters crown after the Spaniard returned a 76 to leave him trailing by 11 strokes.
“It’s about as hard a golf course as I’ve seen in a very long time,” said Rahm. “Hopefully I can just make up some ground tomorrow.”
Some high-profile names were headed home early from the year’s first major.
Former Masters champions Dustin Johnson, Jordan Spieth and Sergio Garcia were among the casualties, as were reigning US Open champion Wyndham Clark and 2023 British Open winner Brian Harman.
The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 has been thrown into uncertainty after the Pakistan government announced that its national cricket team will boycott its league-stage match against India, scheduled for February 15 in Colombo.
The announcement was made on Sunday via an official government post on X, granting approval for Pakistan to participate in the tournament but explicitly instructing the team not to take the field against India. No reason was cited for the decision.
ICC Issues Strong Warning
The International Cricket Council (ICC) reacted sharply, warning that selective participation threatens the integrity of global tournaments and could have long-term consequences for Pakistan cricket.
In a statement, the ICC said it “expects the PCB to explore a mutually acceptable resolution that protects the interests of all stakeholders,” while stressing that the decision could harm the global cricket ecosystem.
“Selective participation is difficult to reconcile with the fundamental premise of a global sporting event where all qualified teams are expected to compete on equal terms,” the ICC said, adding that it is still awaiting formal communication from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).
An important fixture
The India–Pakistan fixture is the most commercially valuable match of ICC tournaments, accounting for a significant share of global broadcasting and sponsorship revenue. If the match is forfeited:
Pakistan will lose two group-stage points
Its net run rate will be negatively impacted
Broadcasters and sponsors could seek compensation
Under ICC Playing Conditions, India must be present at the venue at the time of the toss for the match to be officially forfeited in their favour.
PCB Revenue and PSL at Risk
Despite financial struggles, the PCB currently receives $34.5 million annually from the ICC, the fourth-highest share among member boards, largely driven by India–Pakistan matches.
If compensation is deducted from this revenue, the PCB could lose up to 70–80% of its annual ICC earnings. The ICC is also reportedly considering denying No Objection Certificates (NOCs) for overseas players seeking to participate in the Pakistan Super League (PSL).
There is further concern that major cricket boards such as England and Australia could reconsider bilateral series with Pakistan.
Background to the Crisis
Tensions escalated after the ICC replaced Bangladesh with Scotland in the tournament following Bangladesh’s refusal to play matches in India due to security concerns. PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi accused the ICC of double standards and warned that Pakistan’s participation would ultimately depend on government approval.
Pakistan are placed in Group A alongside India, USA, Namibia and the Netherlands, with matches scheduled in Sri Lanka, a co-host of the tournament with India. Pakistan are due to play:
Netherlands on February 7
USA on February 10
Namibia on February 18
The India match now remains in serious doubt.
What Happens Next
The ICC has reiterated that its priority is the successful delivery of the T20 World Cup and has urged the PCB to consider the broader impact on fans, players and the future of Pakistan cricket.
With millions of viewers worldwide and enormous commercial stakes involved, the cricketing world is watching closely as the situation continues to unfold.
The UAE Men’s National Cricket Team is heading into the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 with a major boost, as STARTRADER has been announced as its Official Partner for the global tournament.
The renewed partnership means STARTRADER’s branding will feature on the official UAE team jerseys throughout the World Cup, which kicks off on February 7, 2026, across India and Sri Lanka.
The agreement was signed in Dubai on Wednesday, January 14, in the presence of senior officials from both organisations, including Emirates Cricket Board COO Subhan Ahmad, ECB Board Member Zayed Abbas, STARTRADER CEO Peter Karsten, and UAE Men’s Captain Muhammad Waseem.
STARTRADER CEO Peter Karsten said the collaboration builds on the company’s earlier sponsorship of the UAE team during the Asia Cup, but with an even stronger commitment this time around.
“We know that cricket has a way of reminding us what commitment, trust and growth can achieve,” Karsten said.
“Continuing this partnership reflects our belief in long-term support for communities and in the human spirit driving both the game and the markets.”
He added that the partnership mirrors STARTRADER’s core values, where trust in strategy and teamwork plays a vital role in achieving sustainable growth, whether on the pitch or in global markets.
STARTRADER is regulated by five international authorities, including the SCA, ASIC, FSCA, FSA and FSC, reinforcing its focus on transparency, trust and long-term growth for its clients.
Emirates Cricket Board COO Subhan Ahmad welcomed the renewed partnership, describing it as a relationship that goes beyond sport.
“We are delighted to welcome STARTRADER as our Official Partner for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026,” he said.
“This partnership reflects shared values of discipline, focus and resilience, and aligns perfectly with our vision as the UAE team continues to perform on the world stage.”
Dubai is about to serve up something big on the global sports stage. The Federation Internationale de Volleyball (FIVB) has announced Dubai as the permanent opening destination of its brand-new international championship, the Beach World Series, which will launch for the first time in November 2026.
The announcement was made during the World Sports Summit, following the signing of a five-year strategic partnership between the Dubai Sports Council and FIVB, a move that further cements Dubai’s reputation as a leading host of major global sporting events.
A new model for global sport
Under the agreement, Dubai will become the first city in the world to host a permanent opening stop of the Beach World Series, setting a new benchmark for global championships that combine elite competition with entertainment, culture, and fan engagement.
The series introduces an innovative format that blends high-level beach volleyball with music, interactive experiences, and a vibrant beach atmosphere, offering something beyond traditional sporting events.
The Memorandum of Understanding was signed in the presence of senior officials from the Dubai Sports Council, with signatures from Guido Betti, Chief Business Officer of Volleyball World, and Eisa Sharif, Director of the Sports Events Department at the Dubai Sports Council.
Ten global destinations
The Beach World Series will span 10 international destinations, each bringing its own identity and local flavour to the competition. Dubai’s role as the opening city positions it at the heart of this global journey, showcasing beach volleyball as both an elite sport and a shared cultural experience.
Additional host cities are expected to be announced in the coming months as the Beach World Series expands across globally recognised sports and entertainment hubs.
