We’re getting late within the day on the second spherical of the 2024 Masters at Augusta Nationwide and on account of inclement climate on Thursday morning, the beginning of the primary spherical bought pushed again by 2 ½ hours. Bryson DeChambeau opened the day within the lead at 7 below, however has severe challengers in Max Homa, Nicolai Højgaard, Scottie Scheffler and extra.
And the place will the cutline find yourself?
The climate is gorgeous at Augusta immediately, with the solar shining and the inexperienced hues popping.
Right here is our Friday picture gallery.
Recap: All of the motion from Day 1 of the Masters
Wyndham Clark had likelihood on 18, however missed the lower
It got here right down to the final gap for Wyndham Clark, the 2023 U.S. Open winner who mentioned after Thursday’s opening spherical that he was comfortable along with his place behind then-leader Bryson DeChambeau as a result of, “We’ve bought 54 holes. In LIV Golf they solely play 54, so I like my probabilities.”
Clark made bogeys on Nos. 14, 15 and 17 to fall outdoors the lower line by a single stroke at 7 over. He missed a birdie putt on 18 that may have snuck him below the mark.
Clark, who was a middle-of-the-pack participant for his first 5 years on the PGA Tour, has improved a lot up to now 12 months that his title was being thrown round as a attainable winner in his Masters debut. Solely three gamers have finished that, the final being Fuzzy Zoeller in 1979.
New gnome caddie decoration out there this 12 months
The Masters Christmas decoration caddie backyard gnome.
Six years after the favored debut of the bearded marvel — and three years after the mini gnome was launched — the Masters Event golf store has added a 3rd sibling to the favored gnome: The Gnome Caddie Decoration.
“I can’t wait so as to add it to my assortment,” mentioned Tabb Hinson, who attended Thursday’s spherical as a Junior Patron.
Packaged in the identical field as its bigger brothers, the 2024 Caddie Decoration is outfitted in the identical white jumpsuit because the mini gnome.
It prices $25 and was not offered throughout observe spherical days. They’re restricted to 1 per patron.
Jon Rahm three-putts from 7 ft, was at risk of lacking lower in title protection
Due to an unsightly double on No. 14 defending champ Jon Rahm is in actual hazard of lacking the lower.
Rahm flew the inexperienced on the par 4, then chipped to seven ft with a chance to avoid wasting par. He hammered his putt nicely previous the cup, nevertheless, and got here up nicely brief on a 15-footer coming again up the hill.
The Arizona State product was 6 over with 5 holes to play however responded like a real champ with birdies on 15 and 16. He completed the day at 5 over, which needs to be ok to barely make the lower.
Scheffler finds water on No. 13, drops out of solo lead
Scottie Scheffler discovered the creek along with his second shot on the par 5 thirteenth gap, and regardless that he made a pleasant restoration from an ungainly lie on his fourth shot, the Texan nonetheless made bogey on the outlet and fell again right into a three-way tie with Max Homa and Bryson DeChambeau at 6 over.
It’s getting tight as a complete of 16 gamers are inside 5 pictures of the lead.
Jose Maria Olazabal makes essential mistake, however makes lower
It’s been 30 years since Jose Maria Olazabal captured the Inexperienced Jacket, edging Tom Lehman by two strokes. Regardless of a wayward shot on the par 3 twelfth gap, the Spaniard appears to have reached the weekend on the 2024 Masters.
Olazabal’s tee shot got here up simply brief and rolled again into the pond in entrance of the twelfth inexperienced and he took a triple bogey that pushed his rating to six over for the event.
Santiago de la Fuente greets Jose María Olazabal after their spherical on the 18th inexperienced in the course of the second spherical of the Masters Event at Augusta Nationwide Golf Membership. Obligatory Credit score: Michael Madrid-USA TODAY Community
“Yeah, I paid dearly, I’ve to say. Sure, only a pity. I performed actually good golf immediately. It was only a disgrace that I put a nasty swing on 12. So simple as that. It value me dearly. I made a triple there,” the 58-year-old mentioned. “I can say I’m pleased with the best way I performed immediately and the best way I dealt with myself on the golf course.”
When the lower dipped to three over it seemed like Olazabal can be on the surface wanting in, however when winds picked up and the quantity rose, Olazabal, who’s making his thirty fifth look within the occasion, appeared to get new life.
Minimize has moved to five over as winds howl
Because the solar is beginning to dip, the lower on the 2024 Masters has moved to five over as windy circumstances and agency greens have made for tough scoring circumstances.
Gamers who’re at present on the fallacious facet of the road embrace Adam Scott (6 over, completed), Viktor Hovland 6 over by 10), and Tom Kim (6 over, completed).
Amongst these battling to remain on the correct facet is Jon Rahm, who’s at present at 4 over after making bogeys on Nos. 3, 6 and 11.
Irrespective of who wins at Augusta, Jay Monahan loses
PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan appears on throughout Day 4 of the Genesis Scottish Open at The Renaissance Membership in North Berwick, Scotland. (Photograph by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Photos)
Our Eamon Lynch opined in regards to the state of golf, the influence of the Masters and the truth that PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan comes out of this week a loser below any circumstance.
From the column:
If the Masters is a scores hit, then will probably be offered as proof that the majors are wholesome whereas common PGA Tour golf is wilting, that the sport solely thrives when the perfect gamers are collectively. Cue elevated strain to finalize a cope with the Saudis to finish the division and restore normalcy. The particulars of an settlement have been agonizingly sluggish to materialize and are a good distance from concluding and delivering on it isn’t solely inside Monahan’s present. However will probably be his burden to shoulder.
Alternatively, if the Masters is a dud in comparison with the norm, then it fuels fears that golf is inexorably declining, that the discord has pushed followers away and never even the perfect gamers on the best stage can draw them again. Guess in whose path fingers shall be wagged in that state of affairs?
This week is a no-win for Monahan.
Patrick Reed on Augusta: ‘Simply completely will destroy you’
Patrick Reed tees off on No. 16 in the course of the completion of the primary spherical of the 2024 Masters Event. (Photograph: Adam Cairns-USA TODAY Community)
When play was stalled on Thursday, Patrick Reed was in nice place, however a stretch of 4 over par on the ultimate three holes of his first spherical modified all that. He’s nonetheless in competition, for positive, however a second-round 74 means he’ll should get sizzling on the weekend to win a second Inexperienced Jacket.
The circumstances on Friday made it tough for gamers and Reed thinks his dedication was the important thing to survival.
“It’s a type of belongings you simply should imagine in what you’re doing. Even in the event you’re fallacious on the wind or membership or no matter, it’s a must to have full confidence in it, and I really feel like that’s one thing that (caddie) Kess (Karain) and I’ve made positive we did all day immediately is that it doesn’t matter what we have been doing, whether or not it was what we have been hitting off the tee, what shot we have been hitting, simply full commit, and in the event you’re going to go down, go down swinging. I believe that’s the most important factor.
“It’s very straightforward to get guidey when it will get windy like this, particularly round a golf course like this,” mentioned Reed, who received the 2018 Masters. “And when that occurs, Augusta Nationwide simply completely will destroy you.”
Will Fred {Couples} be again in 2025? After which some, he mentioned
Fred {Couples} putts throughout a observe spherical for the Masters Event golf event at Augusta Nationwide Golf Membership. Obligatory Credit score: Katie Goodale-USA TODAY Community
Fred {Couples} adopted his opening-round 80 with a 76 on Friday, however don’t suppose you’ve seen the final of the veteran at Augusta Nationwide. His again is in dangerous form, however the 64-year-old rapidly shut down any speak about this being his final journey to the Masters.
“I’m planning on being wholesome and making the lower and telling Fred (Ridley) I’m coming again the subsequent 12 months, too,” {Couples} mentioned. “This was actually ugly. Yesterday there have been a number of instances I ought to haven’t performed, however I believed I may assist these guys that I used to be taking part in with a little bit bit regardless that they’re out-driving me by 50 yards with the wind, so I didn’t need to stop.”
{Couples} actually had a number of spotlight moments, together with a 57-foot birdie putt that dropped on the thirteenth gap. He added a 30-foot birdie putt on No. 17.
There have been some uneven moments, nevertheless as he posted six bogeys.
“It was actually, I don’t need to say no enjoyable as a result of it’s Augusta, however swinging was a chore,” {Couples} mentioned.
Right here’s extra from David Westin of the Augusta Chronicle.
A Tiger Woods-Phil Mickelson pairing on Saturday? It’s attainable
Each Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson look to be safely contained in the cutline with only a few holes to play on Friday, however the two have occupied the identical of the leaderboard for many of the final 24 hours.
As of three:15 p.m, each Woods and Mickelson are at 1 over. Would Masters organizers pair them collectively on Saturday, for the third spherical of motion? Looks as if an ideal concept.
The pair have solely been paired collectively twice within the Masters, each instances within the remaining spherical of play, as soon as in 2001 and once more in 2009.
Keep tuned. (And comply with our Adam Woodard on the Tiger Tracker to see the place he’s sitting.)
The place is the cutline? Proper now it’s projected at 3 over
The cutline retains shifting at Augusta Nationwide, however as of two:14 ET, the quantity is 3 over.
To make the lower after the primary 36 holes of the Masters, a participant should be within the high 50 locations on the leaderboard, together with ties. Beforehand, anybody inside 10 strokes of the lead additionally made the lower, however that rule was scrapped for the 2020 Masters, which was pushed again to November because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Amongst these on the fallacious facet as of proper now? Rickie Fowler, Adam Scott and Gary Woodland, to call a number of.
Greatest Beginner: Neal Shipley nonetheless in lead, however now tied
4 amateurs made their Augusta Nationwide Golf Membership debut Thursday, and the fifth within the area was making his third begin on the Masters. Amateurs are an enormous a part of the Masters custom, and the 5 within the area every had totally different paths they took in the course of the first spherical.
Every of the amateurs concluded their first spherical of play, nevertheless, nobody is making a run like Sam Bennett did final 12 months. The competitors for the Silver Cup stays huge open.
Neal Shipley plans out his second shot from the timber on No. 2 in the course of the first spherical of the Masters Event. Obligatory Credit score: Katie Goodale-USA TODAY Community
Neal Shipley seemed to be working away with issues when he bought to three below after the third gap of his second spherical, however he gave strokes away constantly the remainder of the day and completed at 3 below.
As for 1:30 ET, Christo Lamprecht can also be 3 over.
One other quadruple bogey, this time from Bubba Watson
The 2-time Masters champion was teetering across the cutline on Friday earlier than a quadruple bogey on the eleventh gap. He hit his second shot within the water earlier than hitting his fourth shot skinny and previous the outlet.
After chipping again onto the inexperienced, he 3-putted from there for an 8. He dropped from 4-over, one shot again of the cutline, to 8-over and in a tie for eightieth.
Right here’s extra on the epic meltdown.
Greg Norman noticed at Augusta; wanted secondary market tickets
Greg Norman was at Augusta Nationwide Golf Membership on Wednesday and had this to say to the Washington Put up: “I’m right here as a result of we’ve got 13 gamers that received 10 Masters between them. So I’m right here simply to help them, do the perfect I can to point out them, ‘Hey, you already know, the boss is right here rooting for you.’”
So how did he get in? Per his son, he had to purchase a ticket on the secondary market:
What’s within the merch tent?
Masters 2024 merchandise.
The road to get into the Masters Golf Store will be intimidating.
Our Adam Schupak braved it on Tuesday afternoon and a patron who was in shouting distance behind me summed up the sentiment of many Masters patrons: “I don’t know if I’ll ever be again so I higher go now.”
I hope that man loaded up on quarter zips, ball caps and divot instruments with the enduring Masters brand to final a lifetime. It took about 25 minutes to weave by the stanchions and enter the enormous mall of merchandise.
Listed below are extra photographs from what we collected.
Max Homa having his greatest Masters thus far
Homa is taking part in his fifth Masters and he’s having by far his most success at Augusta Nationwide.
Right here’s how his first 4 journeys across the course went:
- 2023 T-43
- 2022 T-48
- 2021 MC
- 2020 MC
This week? How about tied for the lead within the second spherical.
Homa is 7 below total, with birdies on No. 2 and No. 4, the second coming off a protracted putt on the 240-yard par 3.
Nicolai Hojgaard would love some extra relaxation
After an excellent 67 in his opening spherical of play, Nicolai Højgaard stumbled a bit on the entrance of his second spherical, posting bogeys on each Nos. 5 and 6 to slide to three below for the event.
And whereas he was in a groove by the primary spherical, the native of Denmark may have used a little bit extra shuteye between rounds. He’s making his first look within the event.
“I’d desire to have a little bit extra sleep. That’s a part of it. You’ve bought to adapt,” he mentioned on Friday. “That’s a part of it. I can’t complain. I prefer it. I just like the grind. In order that’s a part of it.”
Jordan Spieth’s collapse isn’t the primary one
Jordan Spieth and his caddie Michael Greller after Spieth did not win a second straight Masters title, in 2016. (Getty Photos)
With a quadruple bogey on the fifteenth gap, Jordan Spieth primarily ended his probabilities of making the lower on the 2024 Masters. He adopted with a bogey on 17 and one other on the opening gap of the second spherical.
After all, this isn’t the best Masters meltdown for the Texan. He blew a five-shot lead on the again 9 Sunday of the 2016 Masters.
On the time, Spieth talked about how he bought phrases of recommendation from different athletes on the best way to bounce again from his Masters collapse (though he wouldn’t disclose who these athletes have been).
“I acquired notes instantly following that night time just about saying, ‘This occurs all over the place. Little question, you’ll be again. Don’t draw on it. It occurs to everybody in all sports activities on totally different ranges,’ ” Spieth mentioned.
He additionally mentioned he’s acquired form phrases from individuals round Dallas.
“I’ve bought women on the grocery shops placing their hand on me and going, ‘Actually praying for you. How are you doing?’ ” Spieth mentioned. “I’m like, ‘My canine didn’t die. I’ll be OK. I’ll survive. It occurs.’ ”
First spherical formally accomplished
All of the gamers have formally accomplished the primary spherical of play on the Masters. Nicolai Højgaard is the bottom participant within the course as of 10:15 a.m., as he’s at present at 5 below, however Max Homa is about to tee off.
Listed below are the tee instances, once more.
Pin placements for Friday
Right here’s a peek on the pins for the second spherical of motion. You’ll see some good pictures on the par-3 sixth and on the closing 18th, the place the pins are positioned on the base of slopes that may pull the ball again towards the outlet.
A extra western wind would have an effect on the east-west holes. Nos. 1, 3, 4 and 15 can be into the wind, as may the second pictures into 13; Nos. 7, 9, 14 and 17 would have the wind on the gamers’ again.
With the wind out of the north, Nos. 2, 5, 10 and 11 will usually be downwind, with Nos. 8, 13 and 18 into the wind.
Based mostly on early returns, the wind will restrict gamers’ probabilities to go for the inexperienced in two on No. 15. We’ve already had three double bogeys this morning: Tyrrell Hatton, Adam Scott and Sam Burns.
Peter Malnati struggled to 82, retains diary for Golfweek
Peter Malnati and caddie Chad Antus look on from the fourth tee field in the course of the first spherical of the Masters Event. Obligatory Credit score: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports activities
Peter Malnati certified for his first Masters by profitable the Valspar Championship final month. The 36-year-old veteran hadn’t received in almost 9 years on the PGA Tour. He’s sharing a first-person account of his expertise each day solely at Golfweek.com.
In his opening spherical, Malnati struggled to an 82. Right here’s a few of what he mentioned in immediately’s entry.
So, positively not the Masters debut spherical that I used to be in search of, however like I mentioned at first, a number of gratitude for this primary expertise. I believe this can serve me nicely. I don’t suppose this shall be my final Masters. And this one’s not over but both. I’m going to exit on Friday and check out as I do each spherical to have a extremely good plan on the primary shot and I’ll attempt to go execute all of them in addition to I can and simply repeat that all through the spherical. Simpler mentioned than finished as a result of the forecast is for blustery circumstances and I do know it’s going be robust within the wind. I’m going to provide it my all and exit and have an ideal day and construct some constructive momentum. Hopefully it’ll be sufficient to earn me a weekend tee time right here however both means I’m going to have a constructive day and construct some constructive momentum, some good mojo, coming from my first Masters look.
Augusta climate replace for Friday; Woodland predicts ‘excellent’ weekend
The circumstances at Augusta Nationwide needs to be a lot improved for each the gamers and patrons because the Masters strikes into second-round play Friday.
After a wet begin, the showers and thunderstorms that blanketed Augusta Nationwide Golf Membership on Thursday are anticipated to provide approach to sunshine because the course will get an opportunity to dry out a little bit. After all, the abrupt climate adjustments are nothing new for this time of 12 months in Georgia.
Golfers who started play within the morning in Thursday’s opening spherical will tee off later within the day on Friday, whereas the gamers with later tee instances to start out the event will get an earlier begin in Spherical 2.
Right here’s the most recent forecast for Friday’s second spherical on the Masters.
The AccuWeather forecast for Augusta, Georgia, requires principally sunny skies and fewer humid circumstances Friday, with just about no likelihood of precipitation and a excessive round 73 levels.
How does that translate to the weekend? Gary Woodland says it’ll be optimum.
“I believe it’ll be proper the place all of us need it. All of us need it agency and quick. This golf course, like I mentioned, going into (Thursday), it was nearly as good as I’d ever seen it, and I believe by this weekend it’ll be excellent,” Woodland mentioned.
Max Homa within the hunt
If you play with Tiger Woods, you get greater crowds, however much less consideration, if that makes any sense. Max Homa has thrived on the power across the Woods group, and he dropped the day’s first birdie on the No, 16 to maneuver to five below par. The California native sits simply two pictures behind chief Bryson DeChambeau.
What gap has historically been the hardest?
Rory McIlroy hits from the No. 11 fairway throughout a observe spherical for the 2024 Masters Event golf event at Augusta Nationwide Golf Membership. Obligatory Credit score: Rob Schumacher-USA TODAY Sports activities
The par-4 eleventh has traditionally been the hardest gap in relation to par, taking part in to a 4.303 common.
Generally known as White Dogwood, it was solely the third-most tough gap in 2023, and the outlet has seen some adjustments lately.
For instance:
1950: Masters tees relocated. Pond left of inexperienced constructed. Inexperienced reshaped.
1953: Two small bunkers added at rear of inexperienced.
1990: Inexperienced rebuilt on account of flood harm.
1999: Inexperienced, pond and bunker advanced adjusted.
2002: Masters tees moved again 30-35 yards and moved 5 yards to golfer’s proper. Portion of fairway touchdown space recontoured.
2004: Pine timber (36) added to the correct of the green.
2006: Masters tees moved again 10-15 yards. Bushes added to the correct facet of the green and fairway shifted to the left.
2008: A number of timber eliminated on proper facet of fairway and fairway widened.
2022: Masters tees moved again 15 yards and to the golfer’s left. Fairway recontoured and several other timber eliminated on proper facet.
Finau bought a patent for his Ping putter
Tony Finau accepting a patent certificates for a compact putter from Ping’s Tony Serrano. (Ping)
Tony Finau has been identified to show his putter, a Ping PLD Anser 2D, counter-clockwise in his fingers and strike the ball with the toe-end of his putter, popping the ball onto the placing floor.
In reality, he loves the sensation pictures like that create a lot that he labored with designers and engineers at Ping to construct a prototype putter that replicates the sensations of that shot and was simply named as certainly one of three individuals on a utility patent awarded to Ping (U.S. #11,911,670 B2) for a compact putter head. Tony Serrano, Ping’s principal putter design engineer, and John A. Solheim, the corporate’s president, are additionally on the patent.
Finau was offered with a patent certificates in Ping’s PGA Tour van on Wednesday outdoors the gates of Augusta Nationwide Golf Membership.
Right here’s extra on the story.
Who would possibly miss the lower on the 2024 Masters?
With solely 89 gamers competing, the Masters has the smallest area of the 4 main championships. Even fewer make the lower, which is able to almost definitely come Friday night time, assuming they’ll catch up after Thursday’s climate delay.
The highest 50 gamers and ties make the lower at Augusta Nationwide Golf Membership. It was high 50 and ties and people inside 10 pictures of the lead, however that rule was modified in 2020.
Jordan Spieth sat 2 over via 11 holes, however posted a birdie at No. 13 early Friday and has loads of golf forward of him. The 2015 Masters champ has a pair of par 5s upcoming within the morning, so it wouldn’t be a shock to see Spieth transfer up the board a bit.
Listed below are another notables flirting with the cutline at this level.
Jason Day’s garments, not scores creating buzz
Whereas Jason Day caught some warmth for his clothes decisions on the primary day of the Masters, his play was regular constant.
In the course of the opening rounds of the 2024 Masters, Day has paired with Tiger Woods and Max Homa.
Day posted a pair bogeys on the entrance throughout his opening spherical however rebounded with two birdies to get to even earlier than the solar went down.
Tee instances, Bryson DeChambeau
Chief Bryson DeChambeau goes off at 11:54 a.m. on Friday with Gary Woodland and Thorbjorn Olesen.
Right here’s a take a look at all the day’s tee instances for Friday.