With a brilliant 7-under round of 65 on Thursday at Augusta National, Justin Rose has now led or co-led after Round 1 of The Masters five times, becoming the sole record holder as he broke himself out of a tie with the great Jack Nicklaus.
And while the Englishman wasn't quite as sharp during Friday's second round, his 1-under 71 was enough to give him a one-shot advantage at the halfway point. As such, Rose has now held at least a share of the lead after 10 different rounds at Augusta.
That's also a Masters record, but it's not as positive as it may sound. While not the most in tournament history, it is the most by anyone without a victory.
Obviously, Rose is hoping to change things this weekend. He's been in position to win the green jacket several times before but just hasn't been able to seal the deal.
But if he can hold off the slew of superstars giving chase, a list that includes Bryson DeChambeau, Rory McIlroy, and defending champion Scottie Scheffler, the 11-time PGA Tour winner can make even more Masters history.
A Masters win for Justin Rose would make him the oldest first-time winner at Augusta National
As mentioned, Rose has now led or co-led The Masters five times after 18 holes, the first four instances coming in 2004, 2007, 2008, and 2021. This week also marks the third time he's held the 36-hole lead, also doing so in '04 and '21.
Obviously, none of those advantages led to a victory, the results from those years being as follows:
- 2004: T22
- 2007: T5
- 2008: T36
- 2021: 7
Rose's best shot to win The Masters was in 2017 when he shared the 54-hole lead with Sergio Garcia.
Technically speaking, the 2013 U.S. Open champion also shared the 72-hole lead, as both he and Garcia shot 3-under rounds of 69 on that Sunday, sending things to a playoff, which Sergio ultimately won with a birdie on the first extra hole at No. 18.
Rose also tied for second in 2015, but he and Phil Mickelson finished four back of Jordan Speith, who went wire-to-wire and tied Tiger Woods' then-record 72-hole score at 18-under.
Now, if Rose can find a way to hang on and notch his second major championship, he won't become the oldest winner in Masters history, as that mark would still belong to Nicklaus, who won his record sixth green jacket at the age of 46.
However, at 44, he would be the second-oldest Masters winner of all time, surpassing Tiger Woods, who won his fifth title at Augusta in 2019 at age 43.
Furthermore, though, Rose would become the oldest first-time winner of The Masters, overtaking Mark O'Meara, who took the title in 1998 at the age of 41.
Buckle up, folks. We're in for a wild weekend at Augusta National.