Round 1 of the Masters was interesting. We saw a hefty 38 players break par at Augusta National, and Chad Campbell (65) and Hunter Mahan (66) both finished within striking distance of the course record. Now comes Friday ... the day where people make or miss the cut, and the day where people can start to make a move before Saturday, which is traditionally called "Moving Day."
What should you be watching for in Friday's Round 2? And is Tiger Woods still the man to beat after firing an opening-round 70 (leaving him tied for 20th)? Check it out after the jump.
Breaking 70 for Woods? -- A lot of golf experts and journalists talk about the struggle Tiger Woods has had in the first round at the Masters in the past. Tiger has never broke 70 at Augusta on a Thursday and continued that trend this week when he bogeyed 18 for a 2-under 70. What might be more interesting is what the second round means to Woods. In his four wins at Augusta, Tiger has shot a second-round 66 three times, and chalked up a 69 in the other win in '01. He has only broken 70 one other time in his 12 other showings as a professional at the Masters, so it is obvious that the second round means a lot for Tiger.
Can Phil Bounce Back? -- It wasn't a disastrous start for Phil Mickelson when he shot a 1-over 73 in perfect conditions, but it does tell a lot about what is to come. Both times Mickelson has won the Masters, he has entered the weekend under par. What that means is Lefty will have to find something that resembles a golf game before he tees off Friday, in hopes of getting somewhere around 2 or 3-under to give him a puncher's chance when Saturday and Sunday roll around.
Saying Goodbye to Gary -- Gary Player won the Masters three times and was the first foreign player to claim a green jacket. Barring some sort of miracle 63, the South African Player will miss the cut at his last Masters and leave with a huge imprint on the game for many players including defending champion, and fellow countryman, Trevor Immelman. It will be emotional for Player and a lot of pros when he wraps up, so here's to hoping he can shoot around his age (73) again and leave with some dignity and respect.
Can Campbell Continue? -- For the first time in my life while watching golf, I felt as though I was an extra in a movie. Pushing Thursday's live chat through the middle hours of ESPN coverage, I was watching a real PGA Tour star do what I'd only seen in a Kevin Costner movie. Chad Campbell set a record at Augusta by birdieing his first five holes of the tournament, and even with a bogey-bogey finish, Chad ended with a 7-under 65. Can Campbell keep it up? I believe so. I've always thought he had the iron game to win a major championship and just needed a good ball-striking week to meet a good putting week. So far, both have butted heads.
Latest From Augusta
Arnold Palmer was the honorary starter to begin the first round of The Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Georgia on Thursday, April 9, 2009. (Gerry Melendez/The State/MCT)
MCT
Arnold Palmer was the honorary starter to begin the first round of The Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Georgia on Thursday, April 9, 2009. (Gerry Melendez/The State/MCT)
MCT
Ryo Ishikawa (C) of Japan putts on the 18th green as Anthony Kim (L) of the U.S. and Rory McIlroy (R) of Northern Ireland watch during first round play at the 2009 Masters golf tournament at the Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Georgia, April 9, 2009. REUTERS/Brian Snyder (UNITED STATES SPORT GOLF)
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Jeev Milkha Singh (L) of India shakes hands with Tiger Woods (R) of the U.S. after their first round play at the 2009 Masters golf tournament at the Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Georgia, April 9, 2009. REUTERS/Hans Deryk (UNITED STATES SPORT GOLF)
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Adam Scott (R) of Australia shakes hands with Danny Lee (L) of New Zealand after their round during first round play at the 2009 Masters golf tournament at the Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Georgia, April 9, 2009. REUTERS/Shaun Best (UNITED STATES SPORT GOLF)
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Tiger Woods (R) of the U.S. and his caddie Steve Williams walk to the 16th green during first round play at the 2009 Masters golf tournament at the Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Georgia, April 9, 2009. REUTERS/Brian Snyder (UNITED STATES SPORT GOLF)
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Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland reacts to sinking a birdie putt on the 18th hole during first round play at the 2009 Masters golf tournament at the Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Georgia, April 9, 2009. REUTERS/Shaun Best (UNITED STATES SPORT GOLF)
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Ryo Ishikawa (L) of Japan shakes hands with Rory McIlroy (C) of Northern Ireland and Anthony Kim (R) of the U.S. at the end of their first round play at the 2009 Masters golf tournament at the Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Georgia, April 9, 2009. REUTERS/Shaun Best (UNITED STATES SPORT GOLF)
Reuters
Tiger Woods of the U.S. looks at his ball resting against the shoe of a patron after hitting his approach shot to the 18th green during first round play at the 2009 Masters golf tournament at the Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Georgia, April 9, 2009. REUTERS/Shaun Best (UNITED STATES SPORT GOLF)
Reuters
Jose Maria Olazabal of Spain hits from a sand trap on the 18th green during first round play at the 2009 Masters golf tournament at the Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Georgia, April 9, 2009. REUTERS/Shaun Best (UNITED STATES SPORT GOLF)
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
4-10-2009 @ 12:00PM
Sieben said...
Go TIGER Getem , wishing you all the best.Would love to see you not only win,but shoot a RECORD ROUND
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4-10-2009 @ 12:00PM
obamaizadope said...
Tiger lost his focus briefly coming in yesterday, probably daydreaming about his family, but it won't happen again. A Tiger win would only be surpassed by yet another colossal Greg Norman meltdown (up 5 strokes entering Sunday, lose by 6)
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