LIV Golf Stars Deliver Mixed Performances at 2026 Masters After Round 2

Tyrrell Hatton produced one of the standout rounds of the day at the 2026 Masters, shooting a 6-under 66 that left him feeling confident walking up the 18th. “Actually walking up 18 I was pretty confident that I couldn’t mess it up enough that I wouldn’t shoot my best score here,” Hatton said. He credited softer morning greens for giving him plenty of birdie opportunities, though he expressed disappointment at a three-putt on the final hole and wished he had converted more putts outside of seven or eight feet. Hatton noted that his recent time off after South Africa helped his swing feel sharper, and he is optimistic about carrying that ball-striking form into the weekend despite the course expected to firm up and play tougher.

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Dustin Johnson also posted a solid round under tricky, swirling wind conditions. “It felt good. I felt like I played really well,” Johnson said. “It was really tricky. The wind was everywhere. There was no direction that it blew all day, and it was enough to where it was affecting the golf ball.” He was pleased with his overall play and making the cut, though he lamented a seven on the 15th after laying up into a divot. Johnson remains optimistic heading into the weekend, noting that firmer, faster conditions could create opportunities for bigger scores and keep him in contention.

Jon Rahm reflected on a difficult Round 1 in which he struggled to find his best ball-striking. “Yesterday was just an anomaly where everything that could go wrong went wrong,” Rahm said. He acknowledged needing a strong weekend to have any realistic chance, but he found some positives late in the round on holes 14 through 18. Rahm also spoke clearly about his LIV Golf preparation when asked about adjustments he needed to make coming to Augusta, "None. Golf is golf."

Charl Schwartzel battled through an up-and-down round that included five birdies but too many mistakes. “A lot of up and down. Made five birdies today. But, yeah, gave away too many shots,” Schwartzel said. He acknowledged the self-inflicted errors and was happy to make the cut line, while reflecting on the strong South African tradition of making cuts at the Masters.

Tom McKibbin, making his Masters debut, described a week filled with mixed emotions after missing the cut. “A bit annoying. Fun. Yeah, it was a bit of everything,” McKibbin said. He was particularly frustrated by early mistakes and a costly three-putt but took positives from strong play on the final 13 holes. McKibbin expressed a strong desire to return to Augusta, calling it the best golf tournament he has ever played and appreciating the unique challenge of its sloping greens and fast conditions.

With two rounds remaining, the focus now shifts to the tall task of the weekend at Augusta National Golf Club, where patience, precision, and capitalizing on scoring chances will likely decide who contends for the green jacket.

Data, quotes, and photos courtesy Masters Media Hub

PHOTO: LOGAN WHITTON/MASTERS IMAGES