40 minutes ago
video caption, Masters: The best shots of the second day
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Masters rankings, second round |
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-6 Homa (USA), Scheffler (USA), DeChambeau (USA); -4 Hojgaard (Den); -3 Davis (Aus), Morikawa (USA); -2 Aberg (Switzerland) |
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Selected Others: -1 Fleetwood (Eng), Willett (Eng); Level Fitzpatrick (Eng); +1 Woods (USA); +2 Hatton (Eng); +4 McIlroy (NI), +5 Rahm (Spa) |
Tiger Woods insisted he can still match Jack Nicklaus' record of six Masters victories after setting a record 24th consecutive year at Augusta National.
The 15-time major champion is seven shots off the lead at halftime after a level-par 72 gave him a lead.
The 48-year-old's fellow Americans, Scottie Scheffler, Max Homa and Bryson DeChambeau, lead at six under par.
“That means I have a chance of winning the golf tournament. Anyone who makes it this weekend has a chance,” Woods said.
Woods managed to come into halftime from six shots behind to win his fourth green jacket of 2005, but that was before he suffered a series of injuries that mean his body “hurts every day” – even though the then 43-year-old Year-old shocked many with his victory, a fifth title in 2019.
He has since had to undergo additional surgeries, primarily to repair leg and ankle injuries sustained in a car accident in 2021 that left Woods wondering whether he would play professional golf again.
And that aching body showed on Friday when he had to play 23 holes – five to complete his first round after storms shortened Thursday's opening day, and then 18 in the second round.
But he battled blustery conditions to stay in the hunt for a 16th major and received a standing ovation from the crowd gathered around the 18th green when he finished.
He then smiled as he said he would contact Fred Couples to give him “a little encouragement” to move on from 1992 Masters winner and three-time champion Gary Player, both of whom made 23 straight Masters cuts .
Woods is tied for 22nd and will know history is against him, as only one of the last 28 Masters champions was outside the top 10 at that point – South African Charl Schwartzel, who was also six back when he was Won in 2011.
Earlier in the week, Woods said he was capable of winning “if everything falls into place,” and so far he's put together two solid rounds of golf. He needs something spectacular now if he's going to take on Nicklaus.
Rory McIlroy and defending champion Jon Rahm also need spectacular weekends, but they are also refusing to admit defeat – despite being 10 and 11 strokes off the lead respectively – and have highlighted their chances for highly unlikely comeback victories.
World number two McIlroy, who fell to four points with a score of 5-over 77, insisted: “I won from 10 in Dubai at the start of the year. But obviously the Dubai Desert Classic and the Masters are two very different golf tournaments.
“We will see. Hopefully the conditions are a little better. I still think I can go out and shoot a low shot, get back in the red and have half a chance by Sunday.”
video caption, Despite the sandstorm, Woods is on the verge of a record Masters hit
Meanwhile, Spaniard Rahm needed birdies on the 15th and 16th holes to extend his streak of 18 consecutive cuts at majors – the longest by an active player. His 76 took him five overs, one shot inside the cut mark.
He accepted that he would need “a very, very low weekend” to have a chance.
However, he added: “I made the cut and have two rounds to take 12 shots. I feel like this has been done before – when the conditions aren’t too easy.” [on Saturday]maybe I can push for victory.
“[I have to] Get as close to the level as possible and see how the leaders react. It all depends on them. But it will require a lot from me.
Those frontrunners are world number one and 2022 Masters champion Scheffler and major winner DeChambeau, as well as contrasting figure Homa.
Homa is in relatively uncharted territory, while DeChambeau won the 2020 US Open and Scheffler this week was considered the biggest favorite since Woods in 2013.
Scheffler looked great on Thursday as he shot a bogey-free 66, putting him one spot behind leader DeChambeau. Both players showed champion qualities on Friday as winds gusted up to 45 miles per hour in places.
After his level-par 72, Scheffler said, “I like where I’m at on the leaderboard. I feel like my game is in a good place.”
“I think the wind will be stronger [on Saturday] but not nearly as much [as Friday]. I’m sure we’ll see a few more birdies, but I’ll just stay in my own little world and try to make it happen.”
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