Masters Leaders Battle Augusta’s Winds
Amid the swirling gusts of Augusta National, a trio of golfers, Bryson DeChambeau, Max Homa, and Scottie Scheffler, emerged as joint leaders after a turbulent second round at the Masters on Friday. The challenging conditions saw DeChambeau relinquish his solo lead with a bogey on the 18th, finishing with a six-under 138 total. Scheffler, the world number one, narrowly missed out on the outright lead after a mishap at the notorious 13th hole, carding an even par 72.
Homa, fresh from a stellar five-under 67 in his first round, continued his ascent with early birdies before adopting a conservative approach amidst the capricious winds, ending with a commendable one-under-71. Nicolai Hojgaard, making his Masters debut, impressed with his resilience, securing fourth place on his own, while Australian Cam Davis and Collin Morikawa remained in close pursuit.
With only eight players breaking par, the day was defined by its fierce winds, which at times created sandstorm-like conditions. “It was extremely challenging,” Scheffler admitted, highlighting the unpredictability of the gusts that tested even the most seasoned players.
Meanwhile, Tiger Woods continued to captivate audiences with his relentless pursuit of a sixth Green Jacket. Woods achieved a new milestone by making his 24th consecutive cut at Augusta National and remains in contention after a steady even par 72. “I’m in the ball game,” Woods declared, undeterred by recent injuries and limited playtime this year.
Rory McIlroy’s quest for a career Grand Slam is hanging by a thread after a birdie-free round of 77 left him ten shots adrift. Yet, McIlroy remains hopeful, drawing parallels to his comeback win in Dubai earlier in the year. Defending champion Jon Rahm also faces an uphill battle after finishing 11 strokes behind the leaders.
The cut claimed several notable victims, including past Masters champions Dustin Johnson, Jordan Spieth, and Sergio Garcia. U.S. Open holder Wyndham Clark and British Open winner Brian Harman also concluded their campaigns earlier than anticipated, underscoring the demanding nature of this year’s tournament.
