What’s been the biggest surprise thus far at the Masters?

Check in to GOLF’s Tour Confidential every Sunday night for the unfiltered opinions of our writers and editors as they break down the hottest topics in the sport. This week, with the Masters at Augusta National, we’ll hit one key topic every night.

We are officially at the halfway point of the 2025 Masters. Justin Rose leads at eight under, while Bryson DeChambeau, Rory McIlroy, Corey Conners and a host of others are hot in pursuit. With 36 holes down, and 36 more to go, what has been the biggest surprise thus far at Augusta National?

Jessica Marksbury, senior editor (@jess_marksbury): It’s Rory for me! What a performance today. After yesterday’s late hiccups, I figured he would need a Rose-like round today to get back in the mix, but did I actually expect him to pull it off? I admit I did not — and am very pleasantly surprised! Having him in the mix is the juice the weekend of play needs. 

Zephyr Melton, assistant editor (@zephyrmelton): How about the Masters rookie Matt McCarty? In just his second major start — and first Masters appearance — he’s posted rounds of 71 and 68 to find himself T5 at the halfway point. I’m not sure I could pick the guy out of a lineup (and I don’t think I’m alone) yet he’s duking it out with the big boys on the weekend at Augusta. Impressive stuff from him thus far.

Nick Piastowski, senior editor (@nickpia): It’s Rory — and it’s not Rory. I thought he was done after the double-double special on Thursday. But he told us he was different. And on Friday, he was. Was that maybe his most surprising round … ever? Maybe. 

Alan Bastable, executive editor (@alan_bastable): I didn’t see a 90 coming, certainly not from a guy who won twice last year. But that’s the shocking number for which Nick Dunlap signed on Thursday. The second-biggest surprise? Dunlap bouncing back on Friday with a one-under 71. What resolve. Good on him!  

Josh Berhow, managing editor (@Josh_Berhow): The huge number of stars who could win this thing. Usually, there are a few big names at the top about now, but this leaderboard is packed. Bryson, Rory, Scottie, Hovland, Collin. Saturday is going to be a ton of fun to see where everyone ends up.