For debutant Stephan Jäger, his first appearance at the US Masters in Augusta went completely wrong. The Munich golf professional paid a lot of lessons on the second day of the first major tournament of the year and clearly failed to make the half-time cut after a round of 80 with 154 shots. In contrast, superstar Tiger Woods set another record at the 88th edition of the tournament.
For the 34-year-old hunter, there was nothing to gain on Friday (April 12, 2024 / local time) after seven bogeys, a double bogey and only one birdie on the par-72 course on the famous Magnolia Lane.
Strong winds make it difficult for golfers
Jäger started his round with a loss of strokes, followed by more at the 4th, 6th, 7th and 11th. After a double bogey at the 12th, he managed the first birdie of the day, but immediately he was hit with more bogeys at the 14th and the final hole .
However, strong winds at Augusta National made things difficult for the world’s best golfers on Friday. Jäger qualified for the first major of the year with the surprising victory on Easter Sunday in Houston, Texas. He was the only German in the field after two-time champion Bernhard Langer, who has lifelong eligibility, was missing after tearing his Achilles tendon in mid-February.
Woods makes the cut for the 24th time in a row
Tiger Woods, on the other hand, set a new record. The former long-time world number one and five-time Masters winner played a solid par round on day two and made the cut for the 24th time in a row at the Masters with 145 strokes. He is now the sole record holder ahead of South African Gary Player and his US compatriot Fred Couples. Woods, 15-time major champion, had to finish his first round on Friday, which had been canceled the day before after 13 holes had been played due to darkness, and then immediately went on to the second 18 holes. A two-hour rain break caused an early stop on the first day.
An exciting three-way battle developed at the front. After the end of the second day, opening leader Bryson DeChambeau continued to lead the leaderboard after a round of 73 with six shots under par together with world number one Scottie Scheffler (66+72) and compatriot Max Homa (67+71).
Three-way battle at the top
“It was very difficult and a good challenge. I had to back up a few times. I’ve never experienced anything like that in Augusta,” said DeChambeau, referring to the conditions on the second day. Scheffler also made similar comments. The Spaniard Jon Rahm had to fight to qualify for the final two rounds. Last year’s winner was five over par after the second round and therefore just above the cut line (+6).
