He hit 630 home runs. Now Ken Griffey Jr. works at the Masters

AUGUSTA — He launched 630 home runs in his Hall of Fame career. Now he’s a credentialed photographer at the Masters.

Ken Griffey Jr., one of the greatest baseball players of all time, is working at Augusta National this week, capturing images for Masters.com.

“It’s been unbelievable and wild,” Griffey said Thursday on the Mornings @ The Masters Youtube stream.

Griffey said his interest in photography started as a means to see his kids play sports. Oftentimes, he said, fans made it difficult to watch games uninterrupted.

“Nobody is messing with the photographer,” he figured.

The hobby developed into a serious pursuit. Griffey, a 13-time All-Star selection during his 22-year career, also enjoys golf and has played before at Augusta National.

He didn’t hesitate when asked which felt better, sending a baseball over the fence or smashing a long drive?

“Hitting a home run.”

Masters second round leaders

Rory McIlroy regains form during Masters second round

Rory McIlroy has the best score of the second round so far, shooting a 66 to move to 6-under par and two shots off the lead.

The only time McIlroy has shot the outright best round of the day at the Masters came in 2022, when he carded a 64 in the final round. Jack Nicklaus holds the tournament record for the most such rounds with 11. Ben Hogan is second with six.

Friday also marked McIlroy’s sixth career bogey-free Masters round, tying him with Gene Littler for second-most behind, you guessed it, Nicklaus (8).

McIlroy struggled on the second nine in the first round Thursday, finishing with a 72.

Bryson DeChambeau moving at the Masters

Bryson DeChambeau moved to second place during Friday’s second round at the Masters. He’s at 7-under, one shot off leader Justin Rose.

DeChambeau carded a 69 Thursday in the opening round, followed with a 68 Friday. That’s no surprise.

Players with the most major championship rounds in the 60s since the start of last year: DeChambeau (9), Xander Schauffele (9), Billy Horschel (8), Rose (7), Shane Lowry (7) and Russell Henley (7).

Justin Rose maintains Masters lead

Justin Rose is no stranger to the lead at the Masters, though he’s never been able to close out a victory.

He’s held a share of the top spot at the conclusion of a round nine times, including Thursday here at Augusta National. Only five players have had more end-of-round leads in tournament history, all are Masters champions: Jack Nicklaus (19), Arnold Palmer (18), Gary Player (12), Raymond (10) and Tiger Woods (10).

Rose, at 8-under, leads after scoring a 71 in Friday’s second round. He had the best round outright with a 65 on Thursday.

Rose has two runner-up finishes (2015, ‘17) in 19 Masters appearances. He has 11 top 25 finishes in the past 14 tournaments here.

Credit: Hyosub Shin/ Hyosub.Shin@ajc.com

Credit: Hyosub Shin/ Hyosub.Shin@ajc.com

2025 Masters second round tee times and groups. When will Scottie Scheffler start on Friday?

Scottie Scheffler enters the second round at the Masters in familiar territory.

The defending champion didn’t lead wire-to-wire in his previous two tournament victories, but he entered both eventual wins within striking distance on Friday.

The world’s No. 1 golfer was third ahead of the second round in 2022. And he was second last year before making his move to the top of the leaderboard.

He sits tied for second after carding a bogey-free 4-under 68 in Thursday’s first round. He tees off Friday at 1:23 p.m.

2025 Masters second round tee times, Friday groups

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Rory McIlroy, left, and Ludvig Åberg wait by second green during first round of the Masters golf tournament, at Augusta National Golf Club, Thursday, April 10, 2025, in Augusta, Ga. (Hyosub Shin / AJC)