While Rory McIlroy's spectacular second-round 65 grabbed the Masters headlines, Cameron Young quietly authored a comeback story of his own at Augusta National. After a shaky start that saw him four-over through his first seven holes, the reigning Players Championship winner has been nearly flawless, playing his last 29 holes at eight-under par.
Young's second-round 67 matched his career-best score at the Masters, fueled by a scintillating run through Amen Corner and beyond. He birdied four consecutive holes from the 12th to the 15th, showcasing both power and touch. The highlight was a sweeping 24-foot birdie putt on the par-5 15th, a bold recovery after he had flown the green with his approach.
His ball-striking has been impeccable, missing only three fairways all week and just four greens in his stellar second round. Though he missed three makeable birdie putts on the final three holes, Young sits tied for seventh at four-under, firmly in contention heading into the weekend.
When asked about the dramatic turnaround from his opening holes, Young pointed to fine margins. "This place is difficult if you get out of position," he noted, crediting better execution on yardages and wind reads for his recent surge. He also acknowledged the boost from playing alongside a red-hot McIlroy, as the duo combined for a best-ball 29 on the back nine. "It's nice to watch good golf," Young said. "It never hurts."
For a player known for his powerful swing and modern game, Young's precision and resilience at Augusta demonstrate a maturity that could make him a fixture on major championship leaderboards for years to come.
