Charley Hoffman’s big lead in the Masters Tournament is gone. American William McGirt and South Africa’s Charl Schwartzel were on two-under.
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Couples, the 1992 Masters victor, could become the oldest major victor in history at age 57 if his balky back can last 72 holes. The 1992 champion posted a 2-under 70 to move within three shots of the lead and is tied with former U.S. Open victor Justin Rose (72).
Among the big second-round movers were 2013 Masters victor Adam Scott, who charged up the leaderboard with a solid ball-striking display. Nine players are under par, and 11 are within five shots of the leaders.
According to Golf Channel, Day came into Augusta National aware that he wouldn’t be at 100%.
But the mistakes, including bogeys after a weak wedge shot on 14 and a missed putt on 18, held him back from making a run at the lead.
“After that, I can’t remember missing a putt”, Hoffman said.
Through two rounds, the first hole has surrendered just three birdies.
Maybe the most compelling story is Sergio Garcia, who has yet another chance to win the first major of his illustrious career.
“These things happen. I just have to birdie the first tomorrow and all will be forgotten”.
The birdie putts on 16 and 18 “were clutch to have a chance this weekend”, Spieth said.
His second round 67 that included four birdies and an eagle was the lowest of the day on a windy afternoon around the famous course. 6-9 as the putts that were falling on Thursday when Hoffman needed his putter just 25 times, weren’t dropping on Friday.
Couples will be paired today with 22-year-old Spaniard Jon Rahm in the fourth-to-last group.
That final hole was especially important because it came after back-to-back bogeys. On Friday he shot 75, but he didn’t lose his lead altogether.
A barrage of birdies will be needed to win on what should be an 80-degree sun-splashed day. He put his tee shot in the water on the par-3 16th, and he took two shots to get out of a bunker on the 17th.
Garcia intends to take a better frame of mind into this weekend than his defeated statement reflected five years ago.
(AP Photo/Matt Slocum). Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland, looks back on the seventh green during the third round of the Masters golf tournament Saturday, April 8, 2017, in Augusta, Ga.
After a 272-yard drive gave him a peek at the green around the towering Georgia pines, he stuck his approach 2 feet from the flag for a tap-in.
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A finishing bogey has McIlroy five strokes behind – still in contention, but he could have been an immediate threat to the leaders. “I’m a competitor, so I like to believe in myself”, he said after shooting 70. Although I like playing in this kind of wind, it’s really tiring at night. This tournament has some excellent storylines in it right now, and even as the leaderboard shifts, it seems a guarantee we’ll have a fascinating golf weekend.
