After yesterdays benign conditions the Augusta weather could play a bigger role today. Thunderstorms are predicted for this afternoon and that means wind. The Golfers are playing to make the cut today and one certain prediction is some big names won’t make it. The ten shot rule is in play so any players within ten shots of the leaders will make the cut.
Hole 11 is playing tough today. It is into the wind and even for the big hitters it is very difficult to reach the green in two. The combination of slopes, hazards, shape of the green and pin position make it extremely difficult to keep the ball on the green.
Hole 12 is averaging about 3.9 shots, nearly one complete shot above par, so if you shoot a three you are effectively picking up a shot on the rest of the field. Hole 13 is providing some respite for the players and at an average of 4.6 shots is playing the second easiest of the course.
Chad Campbell Birdes
Chad Campbell birdies the final hole to finish on nine under and provide a terminal kick in the privates to players who finish on two over unless the scoring seriously dives south in the next few hours. Retief Goosen becomes the first player to make birdie on the eleventh hole after landing his second shot to within 18 inches.
Kenny Perry birdies the eighteenth to equal Campbell’s score and go into the weekend on nine under. Meanwhile Anthony Kim claims a Masters record by sinking eleven birdies in his best of the day round of 65 and makes a big move.
Tim Clark takes just 31 shots for the back nine, repairing damage done on his first nine to reach the clubhouse on five under, fifth place. Tiger Woods charge does not happen today but at two under he is not out of it and could still be a factor at the weekend. Angel Cabrera shoots his second successive 68 to finish one shot behind the leaders on eight under par.
It is Sandy Lyle’s day as representative of the veterans after Larry Mize yesterday. Lyle, the 1988 champion, hits five birdies in a row up to seventeen including several 20+ foot putts. Unfortunately, he drops a shot on the final hole but finishes on two under.
Fuzzy Zoeller's final Masters
A word or two about some fond farewells. This will be Fuzzy Zoeller’s final Masters but posting a few birdies on the back nine the 1979 champion is going out with a bang with his golf playing daughter on the bag for him. He hides his emotion behind some particularly large dark glasses at the close of the eighteenth.
Greg Norman is fighting to make the cut and he chips out of the bunker straight into the cup on 12 to give himself some hope. Hope that is extinguished after a double bogey on thirteen that sends him back to plus one. This could well be the last Masters for The Shark
Gary Player at The Masters
Gary Player is definitely playing his final round at The Masters and has been afforded a heroes welcome at every hole. He finds it hard to stifle a tear as he walks up the eighteenth for the 52nd year in a row. The end for Gary Player at The Masters for a true legend of the game.
Campbell, Perry and Cabrera are the favourites but within seven shots are Woods, Mickelson, Garcia, Harrington, Vijay Singh, Furyk, Kim, Stenson, Villegas and Ogilvy amongst others. Any of these can still win.
See Also:
