McIlroy maintains Masters lead while Hatton climbs rankings

Rory McIlroy , described as the reigning champion, held the outright lead after the opening day of the Masters, ending the first round at five under par and two shots clear of the field. The early advantage put him in front as the tournament moved into its second day, with attention turning to whether he could sustain that pace across the remaining rounds.

In second-round play, Tyrell Hatton made a significant move up the leaderboard. The British golfer reached six under par during the day, a score that marked notable progress relative to the earlier standings and placed him among the prominent names in contention as the round developed.

By contrast, Scottie Scheffler , identified as the world No. 1, was reported to have slipped down the rankings. He was listed as sharing 22nd position, a placement that left him further back from the leaders as the tournament continued into the second day.

The Masters’ start time was given as 12:40 PM BST / 7:40 AM ET , underscoring the event’s transatlantic audience and the way major golf tournaments draw simultaneous attention across time zones. The schedule and early leaderboard shifts set the stage for a second day in which momentum can change quickly as players adjust to conditions and scoring opportunities.

For viewers, broadcast and streaming details were also outlined. In the UK, coverage was available through Sky Sports Golf , while audiences in the US could watch on ESPN . Live streaming options cited included NOW and Amazon Prime Video , reflecting the range of platforms used to distribute major sports events to global audiences.

While the early lead and second-round movement were clear, the information provided did not specify course conditions, weather, or the full scoring distribution behind the leaders. With multiple rounds still to play, the key uncertainty remains how the leaderboard will evolve as more players complete their rounds and as pressure builds deeper into the tournament.