Through fifty-four holes the Masters has lived up to its pre-tournament hype. Despite high winds after a delayed start, Thursday produced some low scores. With 40-50 mph wind gusts causing sand storms at the greens, Friday had the highest average score in Masters history. We saw 48 year old Tiger Woods struggle through 23 holes on Friday to comfortably make the cut (+6) with a one over 145 for the first two rounds. Past Champions Vijay SIngh, 61 and Jose Maria Olazábal, 58 both played their way to weekend tee times.
Two days of play wasn’t without controversy. Friday’s weather led to 6 hour rounds as the grounds crew had to repeatedly clear sand from the putting surfaces. Defending Champion Jon Rahm, who would make the cut at 5 over, walked off 18 on Friday and questioned why they had to play in such conditions. Former Ryder Cup Captain and “star” of Netflix’s “Full Swing” Zach Johnson, after tapping in for a triple bogey, telling fans who clapped, “F_ck off.” Englishman Tyrrell Hatton, never one to shy away from expressing his emotions both complained about the slow play and spit on the green after missing a putt.
And of course we shall never forget Jason “The Marlboro Man” Day’s choice of apparel on Thursday and Friday morning.
Saturday saw fantastic drama, especially on the back nine. The lead changed hands throughout the afternoon. World #1 Scottie Scheffler birdied 18 to take the 54 hold lead at 7 under, one better than Colin Morikawa (-6) who played mistake free on the back parring each hole. Max Homa (-5) and Ludvig Ãberg (-4) round out the top 4. Bryson DeChambeau (-3) most likely saw his chance of winning disappear on 15 when after missing right on the par 5 15th after going for the green in two, promptly chunked his wedge into the water and had to settle for a double bogey 7. After following the double with a bogey on 16 DeChambeau drove into the woods on 18, pitched out and then hit the shot of the tournament, holing out from the fairway for a closing birdie.
There are plenty of stories to unfold this afternoon. Will Scheffler’s wife go into labor forcing him to walk off the course with a chance to win another green jacket? Can Morikawa win his third major and find himself only needing to win the US Open at Pinehurst in June to complete the career grand slam? If he were to pull off both Collin will have won all four majors in 19 career starts. Two less than Tiger Woods. Will Max Homa, who has not made a birdie in 32 holes, somehow walk away with his first career major? No Masters Champion has started outside the top five since Sir Nick Faldo’s win over a reeling Greg Norman in 1996. Will this be the year?
We get to enjoy another 18 holes of drama this afternoon. Sit back, relax and enjoy the show!
