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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
Sport
Alex Young

Masters 2023: Brooks Koepka sets target but Rory McIlroy to miss cut as play suspended

Brooks Koepka is set to take a commanding lead into day three at the Masters, but pre-tournament favourite Rory McIlroy is likely to miss the cut with play suspended.

The LIV Golf rebel shared the overnight lead with Norway's Viktor Hovland and Spain's Jon Rahm heading into day two before hitting a five-under 67 to set a 12-under target as the rain started to fall at Augusta.

Koepka told Sky Sports: "I just played really solid, the speed got a little sloppy at the end and I wasn't hitting the putts but I took advantage of the par fives to get to five under and that's what you have to do around this place.

"I feel good. I feel like my game is right where it needs to be and where it should be ... [I'm] just ready to go this next few days and we'll see how it goes."

McIlroy and world no1 Scottie Scheffler look set to have the weekend off after signing off the second day with +5 and +3 scores, respectively. Grand Slam-chasing McIlroy recorded seven bogeys on the day, which will continue into day three after after two pine trees fell near the 17th tee at Augusta National.

No spectators were injured, ESPN reporters, after strong winds brought the trees crashing to the ground. The second round will resume on Saturday at 1pm BST.

Amateur Sam Bennett continued to be the Augusta surprise package lurking four back on eight-under, with John Rahm and Viktor Hovland also threatening as the afternoon wore on.

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