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.
Travellers arriving at Dubai International Airport are being greeted with a unique souvenir, a special stamp on their passports celebrating the Dubai World Cup 2026.
The initiative, launched by the General Directorate of Identity and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA), marks the 30th edition (Pearl Jubilee) of one of the world’s most prestigious horse racing events.
A grand sporting celebration
The iconic Dubai World Cup will take place on Saturday, March 28 at Meydan Racecourse, drawing global attention from racing fans and elite stables.
This year’s event promises high-stakes action:
100 horses from top international stables
Nine races across the evening
Total prize pool of $30.5 million
Spotlight on the main race
The highlight of the night is the $12 million Dubai World Cup race, sponsored by Emirates Airline.
Run over 2,000 metres on dirt, the Group 1 race will feature some of the world’s top thoroughbreds, including:
“Hit Show” – last year’s winner
“Forever Young” – UAE Derby and Saudi Cup champion
“Imperial Emperor”
“Meidan” – Super Saturday winner
A memorable arrival experience
The commemorative passport stamp adds a celebratory touch for visitors landing in Dubai, tying their arrival to one of the city’s biggest sporting spectacles.
With excitement building ahead of race day, Dubai is once again showcasing its ability to blend world-class sport with unique visitor experiences.
Soccer superstar Erling Haaland has announced a major investment in Norway Chess, backing the launch of a new global competition format, the Total Chess World Championship Tour.
The initiative, unveiled in Oslo, aims to transform chess into a more spectator-friendly and widely accessible sport. Haaland has partnered with Norwegian business leader Morten Borge to establish a new company, Chess Mates, which will become a significant stakeholder in Norway Chess.
Haaland said his investment reflects a strong belief in chess as both a mental discipline and a global spectator sport.
“Chess is an incredible game. It sharpens your mind, and there are clear similarities to football. You have to think quickly, trust your instincts, and think several moves ahead,” he said.
The newly announced Total Chess World Championship Tour is set to feature four tournaments annually across different cities, bringing together the world’s top players. The competition will crown an overall world champion based on combined performance in three formats: Fast Classic, Rapid, and Blitz.
The tour has been approved by the International Chess Federation for a minimum of 16 years, underscoring its long-term ambition and significance within the global chess calendar.
A pilot tournament is scheduled for autumn 2026, with the first full season expected in 2027. Each season will include four events and offer a minimum prize pool of $2.7 million.
Kjell Madland, CEO of Norway Chess and Total Chess, welcomed Haaland’s involvement, describing it as a major step forward for the sport.
He said Haaland’s global influence and appeal would help attract new audiences and elevate the profile of chess worldwide, adding that preparations are now in the final stages to secure host cities for the inaugural tour.
With millions of fans worldwide, Haaland’s move into chess investment signals a growing crossover between elite sport and strategic mind games, potentially reshaping how chess is consumed and followed globally.
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.
