Tiger Woods deserves that he 86th Augusta Masters be his Masters again even if this Sunday there is another champion (whatScottie Scheffler?). If already on Thursday what the five-time Green Jacket did, being as he is physically, was portentous, this Friday was again to take his hat off for the display of play, strength and, above all, faith, after a discouraging start back: four bogeys on five holes. To discourage the most painted, to throw in the towel and say ‘I’m going home’.
Well, what is it, quite the opposite. Tiger brought out the genius and the talent, which he still has tons of. He recovered with two birdies, shots that he missed at the Amen Corner, and again recovered with three birdies in a row to unleash the madness among the public. From 15 to 18 he had some option and in the end 74 hits (+2).
What a great lesson the Tiger gave this Friday at Augusta National, very hard due to the wind, gusty, and due to field conditions that did not allow frills, or attack the flags, and instead required discipline, patience and survival spirit. And nobody beats Woods at this, even though 14 months ago he almost lost a leg.
Just the fact that he dared to compete in Augusta without previous tournaments is commendable, commendable. But Augusta is Augusta, his second home, where he already won in 1997, 2001, 2002, 2005 and 2019. At 46 years old, the Californian has given a beautiful lesson in 36 holes. He adds 145 (+1) and is top 20.
“The course was played in difficult conditions due to the wind, with very strong gusts, I have left a ball in a ‘chop’ but ‘it is being difficult for everyone’, I told my caddy, so keep fighting. This Saturday will be a great test with the drier course and the fast and hard greens. How am I feeling physically? I would like to be better…Tomorrow is going to be a great day, I need to go out, deliver and put myself in the fight for Sunday , get within five shots to be with options on the last nine holes. I’m where I am,” Tiger told ESPN. He has 22 cuts in a row at Augusta.
Tiger, who at times could see the cut in danger, did not lower his guard, and with attitude, concentration and desire to continue, he was 19th tied at 9 strokes behind the leader Scottie Schefller, the number 1 in the world and who is still in a state of grace (six birdies in 10 holes after losing a couple of shots at the beginning) and seeing the hole as if it were a big pot. The 67 hits for 136 (-8) were the best lap of the day along with the -5 also from Justin Thomas.
He has won three tournaments: Phoenix, Orlando and the Austin Match Play. But the most important thing is that right now nothing and no one seems to stop him. Even when he fails he fails well. He has opened a gap in the standings and although he has a world left and watch out for Augusta, now he himself is the fittest player on the circuit. Quietly and with a carat golf he is back on top.
Classification day 2
136 Scheffler (USA) 69 67
141 Schwartzel (SAF) 72 69, Im (Cds) 67 74, Lowry (Irl), 73 68, Matsuyama (Jap), 72 69
142 D. Johnson (USA) 69 73, Smith (Aus), 68 74
…
143 Morikawa (USA) 73 70, Thomas (USA), 76 67
145 Cantlay (USA) 70 75, Woods (USA), 71 74
146 RAHM (ESP/23º) 74 72, GARCÍA (ESP) 72 74, McIlroy (GBR) 73 73
147 Fleetwood (GBR) 75 72
148 Hovland (Nor) 72 76
Eliminated:
150 Spieth (USA) 74 76, Koepka (USA) 75 75
151 Shovels (USA) 74 77
152 Rose (GBR) 76 76, Molinari (Ita) 78 74
156 DeChambeau (USA), 76 80
