Drama at the US Masters 2026: These top stars miss the weekend

While Rory McIlroy is playing in a league of his own at the top of the leaderboard and is on course for his second Green with a historic six-stroke lead, human tragedies unfolded in the shadows of the leaderboard on Friday. For some of the biggest names in golf, the cut mark at the US Masters 2026 of 4 over Par became an insurmountable hurdle - above all Bryson DeChambeau, whose tournament ended in an unprecedented collapse on the last hole.

Here you can find the US Masters leaderboard and live scoring.

US Masters 2026: The bitter end of the "physicist"

Bryson DeChambeau and the sand bunkers at Augusta National - it was a love affair that came to a painful end this week at the US Masters 2026. For a long time, it looked as if the LIV star could still pull his head out of the noose. After a Birdie on the 15th, DeChambeau was 3 over Par and seemed to have everything under control. But the 18th hole turned into a sporting scaffold for him.

After a misjudged Driver into the pine needles and a rescue shot into the Bunker in front of the green, things took their fatal course. As on Thursday at the 11th hole, when he needed three attempts to get out of the sand, he lost his touch here too. His first attempt got stuck in the Bunker, the second rolled over the treacherous edge of the green back onto the Fairway. The bitter result: a triple Bogey at the end and an overall score of +6, meaning DeChambeau missed his first cut in three years at the US Masters 2026 in probably the cruellest way possible.

Here you can find the US Masters 2026 Tee Times of the 3rd round.

Etiquette and emotion: The departure of Robert MacIntyre

Robert MacIntyre provided the most controversial images of the first two days at the US Masters 2026. The Scot, who had arrived as the secret favorite after strong performances on the PGA Tour, lost his composure on Thursday. After his ball landed in the water on the 15th hole, he acknowledged this with a gesture that is normally unthinkable in the hallowed halls of Augusta: he gave the hole the middle finger.

Although MacIntyre fought his way back on Friday with a respectable round of 71, the mortgage of the previous day's 80 was simply too great. With a total of 7 over par, he left the US Masters 2026 tournament site at a loss for words. As reports confirm, he declined any interview requests after the round and instead let his frustration show on social media.

When hopes are dashed on 18

The afternoon was similarly dramatic for Akshay Bhatia. The winner of the Arnold Palmer Invitational delivered arguably the wildest rollercoaster ride of this year's edition. After a brilliant front nine, he looked certain to be in the mix for the weekend before a 44 on the second nine holes put him in trouble. A spectacular hole-out from the Bunker on the 17th had the fans cheering once more, but a double bogey on the 18th sealed his fate at the 2026 US Masters at 5 over Par.

Read the report of the second round of the US Masters 2026 here.

Historic amateur exit at the US Masters 2026

The year 2026 marks a historic first for the amateurs. For the first time in a long time, no "Silver Cup" for the best amateur will be presented on Sunday, as all six starters missed the cut. Jackson Herrington, who was eliminated with 8 over Par, nevertheless took it in his stride: "Maybe I'll get to practice tomorrow... it's the best place in the world. I know that," said Herrington about the special atmosphere at the US Masters 2026.

The list of failed favorites

In addition to DeChambeau and Bhatia, other heavyweights will have to pack their bags early at the US Masters 2026:

• J.J. Spaun (+5): The reigning U.S. Open champion never found his rhythm after his victory the previous week.
• Cameron Smith (+7): A black streak continues for the Australian; it's his sixth consecutive missed major cut.
• Bubba Watson (+5): The two-time champion failed by the narrowest of margins with a Bogey on the final hole.

While these stars headed home, Jon Rahm just about managed to save himself. The 2023 champion managed to land on the cut line with a round of 70 (+4). He was realistic with reporters: "Yesterday was just an anomaly where everything that could go wrong did go wrong. [...] I'm going to need a damn good round tomorrow to give myself a chance," said Rahm about his chances of staying in the US Masters 2026.

For the rest of the field, the chase is on for Rory McIlroy, who has dominated the tournament at will so far and goes into Saturday with a six-shot lead - a record for the first 36 holes in the history of the US Masters.