Bryson DeChambeau, Max Homa and Scottie Scheffler weathered a rarely seen blustery and blustery day at Augusta National to share the lead in the second round of the Masters on Friday while Tiger Woods sought a sixth green jacket after winning another major record. First-round leader DeChambeau looked set to spend another night alone atop the leaderboard until a bogey at the 18th left the 2020 US Open champion with a 1-over 73 and a two-day total of six under 138.
Scheffler also had the chance to take solo possession of the top spot, the world number one with a one-shot lead until finding himself in trouble where so many have the par-five 13th.
Landing his approach at Rae’s Creek, Scheffler did well to escape with a bogey, then play error-free until the end posting an even par 72.
Homa, who had never topped 70 at Augusta until finishing his weather-delayed first round Friday morning with a five-under 67, was quickly back on the course and moving with birdies at the second and fourth.
From there, the 33-year-old American went into full damage control mode, making 13 pars and just one bogey to happily sign for a 7-under 71 as gusty winds and stiffening conditions limited the chances of to mark.
Masters debutant Nicolai Hojgaard of Denmark continued to show nerves of steel, battling his way to a score of 73 to place alone in fourth at four under with Australian Cam Davis (72) and Collin Morikawa (70). ) a little further.
Only eight players managed to beat the average on a day of sunshine and wicked winds that most said they had never experienced before at Augusta National.
At times, golfers seemed to be playing into a sandstorm, with the wind blowing clouds of sand out of the bunkers.
“It was extremely difficult,” Scheffler said. “The wind was blowing very strong and it is blowing everywhere here.
“I can’t really describe how windy it is and how difficult the gusts are, just because I think you have to be there and experience it.”
As always, the spotlight was on Woods as he battled his way to an even par 72, securing him a record 24th consecutive cut at Augusta National.
The 15-time major winner has made a career out of proving doubters wrong and did so again behind a performance of pure grit, scoring a halfway total of one over 145 to easily cross the cut line of six.
Woods has a long list of magical moments at the Masters and conjured up one more on Friday, then immediately set a new goal: a record sixth green jacket.
“I’m in the ball game,” Woods said. “I have a chance to head into the weekend. I am here.
“I have a chance to win the golf tournament.”
The 48-year-old arrived at the first major tournament of the year facing a challenge that would certainly test his will and battered body, his latest ankle surgery last April.
Coming into Augusta, Woods had played just 24 holes this year and had to play almost as many during a marathon Friday that began with finishing the final five holes of his weather-delayed first round for a one over 73, followed immediately by another 18. .
Under bright blue skies, Woods was clearly ready for battle and he mixed four birdies with the same number of bogeys in a roller coaster ride.
Rory McIlroy’s bid to complete the career Grand Slam remains alive, but barely after the Northern Irishman reached a five-over 77 that did not include a single birdie.
The world number two finished with a two-day total of four to sneak under six, but was not ready to wave the white flag even though he was 10 behind the lead.
“I won out of 10 in Dubai at the start of the year,” McIlroy said. “I still think I can go out tomorrow and shoot low, get back into the red numbers and have half a chance before Sunday.”
Jon Rahm wasn’t as optimistic about a successful defense of that Masters crown after the Spaniard fired a 76 to leave him trailing by 11 strokes.
“It’s as difficult a golf course as I’ve seen in a very long time,” Rahm said. “I hope I can catch up a little tomorrow.”
Some top names returned home early after the first major tournament of the year.
Former Masters champions Dustin Johnson, Jordan Spieth and Sergio Garcia were among the victims, as were reigning US Open champion Wyndham Clark and 2023 British Open winner Brian Harman.
