World number one Scottie Scheffler battled to secure a share of the lead at -6 alongside Bryson DeChambeau and Max Homa as Rory McIlroy’s quest for a long-awaited major fell flat after a difficult second round at The Masters.
With winds up, conditions proved extremely difficult at Augusta National as the day wore on but Scheffler’s disciplined level-par round saw him remain in the hunt for his second green jacket.
DeChambeau had held the overnight lead after a sparkling 65 on Thursday, but a bogey on the last hole saw the LIV Golfer record a one-over-par 73 to match the clubhouse lead set by Max Homa who put together a consummate display of ball-striking en route to a one-under-par 71.
Leading the chasers is young Dane Nicolai Hojgaard who produced a spirited round of 73 to reach the clubhouse at -4, while Australia’s Cameron Davis and two-time major champion Collin Morikawa are one shot further back on -3.
Elsewhere, Rory McIlroy’s bid to end a ten-year major drought faltered following his disappointing birdie-less round of 77, while Jon Rahm’s hopes of defending his Masters title are all but over after the Spaniard’s four-over-par round of 76 left him 11 shots back at the halfway stage.
Tiger Woods, meanwhile, battled through 23 holes on Friday to make a record-breaking 24th consecutive cut at Augusta. The American had to come back early in the day to finish his first round before shooting a gusty even-par round of 72 to leave himself seven shots back of the leading trio.
Relive all the live coverage of Friday’s action below. Keep up to date with the latest Masters odds and check out these golf betting offers:
The Masters – live updates
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Homa, DeChambeau and Scheffler in tie for lead after in windy conditions on Friday
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Leaderboard: -6: Scheffler (72), Homa (71), DeChambeau (73)
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-4: Hojgaard (73); -3: Davis -3 (72), Morikawa (70)
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Select others: McIlroy +4 (77), Woods +1 (72), Rahm +5 (76)
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Woods makes record-breaking 24th consecutive cut at Augusta after battling second round
Tiger Woods makes record 24th consecutive Masters cut after gruelling day
01:30 , Ben Fleming
Tiger Woods completed 23 holes in a day to make a record 24th consecutive cut in the Masters on another windswept day at Augusta National.
Woods had to shield his face from sand whipped from the bunkers on the 18th before tapping in for par to add a second round of 72 to his opening 73, a remarkable effort which prompted a standing ovation from the spectators around the green.
“I’ve been lucky enough to have been able to play this event for all these years,” Woods told ESPN.
“I did miss the cut as an amateur, but as a pro I’ve done well. It’s just an amazing aura that Augusta National has and I’ve been lucky enough coming here since I was 19 years old.”
Tiger Woods makes record 24th consecutive Masters cut after gruelling day
Leaderboard
01:29 , Ben Fleming
So here’s a look at how things stand heading into tomorrow.
-6: Scheffler, Homa, DeChambeau
-4: Hojgaard
-3: Davis
-2: Aberg
-1: Pavon, Young, Fleetwood, Willett, Smith, Fox, An
Selected others: +1: Woods; +4: McIlroy; +5: Rahm.
Scottie Scheffler’s thoughts
01:26 , Ben Fleming
McIlroy – ‘My swing felt horrific’
01:20 , Ben Fleming
“Really tough day,” the Northern Irishman reflected after his round. “Just hard to make a score and just sort of trying to make as many pars as possible. I felt like I did okay. I made that bogey on 14, and even just to par the last four holes and get in the clubhouse and have a tee time tomorrow, I’m sort of pretty happy with. Scoring was very difficult.
“I mean, most of the field couldn’t really get anything going. It was just a matter of trying to hang in there as best you could.”
On the length of his round: “It felt long, yeah. My golf swing felt horrific for the last six or seven holes, just from hitting around. Especially that 11th hole. On 11 it felt like it took an hour to play that hole. Yeah, it was stop and start, hard to get into a rhythm with the conditions and obviously how slow the play was as well.”
Jon Rahm speaking to Sky Sports
01:15 , Ben Fleming
“It is a very difficult set-up. It would have been very difficult anyway without the win but that just adds a whole level to it. You have to play really good golf on get lucky with the gusts.
“It was a bad day for me not to have it. I was fighting my swing all day. But at the end of the day, I have made the cut and have two rounds to make up 12 shots. I feel it has been done before – if the conditions aren’t too easy tomorrow, maybe I can make a push for the win.”
A challenging day at Augusta
01:07 , Ben Fleming
Those conditions were quite something out there today. Wind unlike what many in the field will have ever seen before at Augusta and just one round – credit to Ludvig Aberg – in the sixties.
In the end, it’s a three-way tie at the top, with DeChambeau, Homa and Scheffler all vying for major glory.
It will be DeChamebeau and Homa out last together, while Scheffler goes up in the penultimate pairing alongside the impressive debutant Nicolai Hojgaard.
José María Olazábal makes the cut!
01:04 , Ben Fleming
What a way to celebrate your 35th Masters appearance for the 58-year-old. A few late mistakes from those after him mean his +6 tournament score is enough to make the cut!
🏆 Two-time Masters Champion (1994 & 1999)
⛳️ Played TWO professional events since 202258 year-old José María Olazábal makes the cut on his 35th appearance at Augusta 👏#TheMasters pic.twitter.com/d63XaPN7u7
— DP World Tour (@DPWorldTour) April 12, 2024
Clark misses the cut
01:02 , Ben Fleming
Smith -1 (72), Clark +7 (78), Hovland +8 (81)
Smith is safely in for his par and that’s a solid even-par round of 72, especially with what has been happening around him.
By that I mean the respective rounds of 78 and 81 from Wyndham Clark and Viktor Hovland. Clark had a birdie chance on the last to make the cut but saw it slide by. He and Hovland miss out on the weekend’s action and that is that for Friday’s play.
Still one group out there
Saturday 13 April 2024 00:55 , Ben Fleming
Smith -1 (17), Clark +7 (17), Hovland +8 (17)
The final group find their way onto the green as the sun sets in the background. Can Clark find a last-ditch birdie to get himself in the weekend’s action.
Pars all round to close
Saturday 13 April 2024 00:52 , Ben Fleming
Scheffler -6 (72), McIlroy +4 (77), Schauffele E (72)
Something to cheer about for Rory at the last as he makes a solid par save to remain at four over par. Regardless, a birdie-less round of 77 has effectively ended any hopes of a Green Jacket this year.
Schauffele knocks in for his par, his second successive round of 72 which is noteworthy in these conditions.
Scheffler follows in his countryman for an even-par round of 72 and he will take a share of the lead into the third round of the Masters.
Clark needs a birdie
Saturday 13 April 2024 00:46 , Ben Fleming
Clark +7 (17), Smith -1 (17)
US Open champion Wyndham Clark could have moved the cut line back to +5 had he made a birdie on the final two holes. Instead, he now needs a birdie to just stay in the tournament after he three-putts the 17th for a costly bogey.
Smith with a par to stay at -1.
Bogey finish for Fizpatrick
Saturday 13 April 2024 00:43 , Ben Fleming
Fitzpatrick E (73), Rahm +5 (76)
A wayward shot into the final green costs Fitzpatrick as he’s unable to get up and down to save his par. Still, a round of 73 in these conditions is praiseworthy and he’s only six shots back heading into the weekend.
Rahm nearly threatens another tramliner at the last, his ball catching the lip but just not dropping. It’s a par, though, which means he’s safely into the weekend. Not the round he would have wanted but some positives to finish.
Trouble for McIlroy
Saturday 13 April 2024 00:40 , Ben Fleming
Scheffler -6 (17), McIlroy +4 (17), Schauffele E (17)
He doesn’t want to make it easy for himself, does he? McIlroy sprays one right into the trees off the tee at the last and takes a fairway wood from the rough to bunt it up the fairway.
Scheffler and Schauffele positioned well.
Cut drama
Saturday 13 April 2024 00:35 , Ben Fleming
Well, with Hideki Matsuyama and Justin Thomas making double bogeys on the 18th, the cut line is now at +6. That could still change but that would see a lot of players, including 58-year-old Jose Maria Olazabal get a last-ditch spot in the weekend’s action.
It’s also worth noting that Thomas was even par for the tournament on the 15th tee before going double bogey-double bogey-bogey-double bogey. Ouch.
Bunker save from Rory
Saturday 13 April 2024 00:31 , Ben Fleming
Scheffler -6 (17), McIlroy +4 (17), Schauffele E (17)
Some much-needed quality from McIlroy as he gets up and down to save his par. He’s got a shot buffer coming down the last.
Scheffler makes no fuss with his two-putt from the front of the green, while Schauffele is rewarded for his disciplined display on the back nine with a birdie at the penultimate hole to get to even par.
Superb par save from Smith
Saturday 13 April 2024 00:28 , Ben Fleming
Smith -1 (16)
Short-game excellence from Smith as he magics up a superb par save from above the rough above the pin at the par-3 16th. How he kept that on the top tier I’m not sure but the Australian takes full advantage to ram home the birdie and stay at one under par.
Drama at 17 for Rahm
Saturday 13 April 2024 00:25 , Ben Fleming
Fitzpatrick -1 (17), Rahm +5 (17)
Well, it looked like a good chance for birdie for Rahm but the Spaniard inexcusably walks off with a bogey after he misses a par putt from no more than three feet. He now must par the last to make the weekend.
Another par for Fitzpatrick as he looks to get into the clubhouse in the red.
McIlroy fighting to make the cut
Saturday 13 April 2024 00:23 , Ben Fleming
Scheffler -6 (16), McIlroy +4 (16), Schauffele +1 (16)
There’s no other way to put it – this is getting ugly for McIlroy. His drive goes way right, bouncing off a tree before coming back out onto the fairway. It’s so far back though and his second shot comes up short in the bunker.
The cut line has moved to +5 as things stand so he probably afford another dropped shot but it’s less than ideal.
Scheffler finds the heart of the green with his second, while Schauffele sends in a dart and should be rewarded with a birdie.
WATCH: Jon Rahm sinks monster putt on 16th
Saturday 13 April 2024 00:20 , Ben Fleming
Here’s that big birdie putt from Rahm we mentioned a few minutes ago.
Nightmare for Hovland
Saturday 13 April 2024 00:19 , Ben Fleming
Hovland +8 (15)
Oh no. Viktor…
The Norwegian misses a tiddler up the hill at the par-5 15th but then misses again as he attempts to knock the ball into the cup with one hand from a matter of inches.
It’s a costly double-bogey seven which all but confirms he will miss the cut. The look on his face says it all.
Another birdie chance goes begging for Rory
Saturday 13 April 2024 00:12 , Ben Fleming
Scheffler -6 (16), McIlroy +4 (16), Schauffele +1 (16)
He just can’t get one to drop. A gorgeous tee shot onto the top tier at the par-3 16th but the birdie effort just drifts by on the left side. McIlroy still has work to do to ensure he makes the weekend at Augusta.
Scheffler knocks in his par while Schauffele produces a moment of magic from the far bunker to somehow get up and down and save his par.
Monster birdie putt from Rahm
Saturday 13 April 2024 00:02 , Ben Fleming
Fitzpatrick -1 (16), Rahm +4 (16)
Well, you go 14 holes without a birdie and then two pop along in consecutive holes.
The one at 15 may have been somewhat regulation but two at the par-3 16th is anything but that. 50 feet, left to right and up the slope but right in the heart from the Spaniard who lets out a reluctant grin.
Just when he needed it most.
Pars all round on 15
Friday 12 April 2024 23:56 , Ben Fleming
Scheffler -6 (15), McIlroy +4 (15), Schauffele +1 (15)
All three lay up into the par-5 15th but only Scheffler gives himself a good look at birdie.
McIlroy flies his past the green and can only chip back on for par, while Schauffele’s leaves his short and lags a two-putt in for a five. Scheffler’s eventual effort – from a similar spot to Rahm moments earlier – dies on the low side and he, too, settles for par.
Birdie at the last for Niemann
Friday 12 April 2024 23:52 , Ben Fleming
Niemann +4 (78)
Not the round the Chilean golfer would have been after at all, but a gusty par save on the 17th is followed by a rare birdie at the last to see him safely inside the cut mark and back again tomorrow.
Much-needed birdie for Rahm
Friday 12 April 2024 23:46 , Ben Fleming
Fitzpatrick -1 (15), Rahm +5 (15)
The defending champion at last finds a birdie in this second round as he rolls a nice rock down the hill at the par-5 15th. He’s back inside the cut now but there’s still three to go.
Fitzpatrick’s bogey-free round comes to an end, though, after the Englishman finds the water with his second shot into the green. He drops back to -1 for the tournament.
Mickelson here for the weekend
Friday 12 April 2024 23:43 , Ben Fleming
Mickelson +4 (75)
A bogey-bogey finish sees last year’s runner-up drop down a little but he’ll still be here at the weekend regardless. Like Woods, that remains a more-than-impressive feat at 53 years of age.
Another one goes begging for McIlroy
Friday 12 April 2024 23:35 , Ben Fleming
Scheffler -6 (14), McIlroy +4 (14), Schauffele +1 (14)
Well, this is rapidly becoming a twitchy final few holes for McIlroy too. He’s out of place off the tee and through the back with his second shot. A mediocre chip shot gives him a tough putt for par and another shot goes begging for the Northern Irishman.
Schauffele and Scheffler, meanwhile, hang in there with spirited par saves to stay as they were.
Hovland battling to make the weekend
Friday 12 April 2024 23:32 , Ben Fleming
Hovland +5 (13)
Another struggling to get inside the top 50 is Hovland who enjoyed a nightmare seven-over-par front nine. But a welcome birdie at the par-5 13th has him back to +5 and on the cut line as things stand.
Double bogey for Rahm
Friday 12 April 2024 23:28 , Ben Fleming
Fitzpatrick -2 (14), Rahm +6 (14)
It’s not been the week Rahm was after but it’s in danger of ending today. He’s over the back of 14 with his second shot – a similar spot to Woods earlier today – but his par putt misses on the low side and just keeps rolling away from the hole.
The Spaniard leaves the return putt short and, in an instant, the defending champion is below the cut mark and in need of a birdie to extend his stay here into the weekend.
Fitzpatrick, meanwhile, knocks in another par to keep his solid round ticking over nicely.
Scheffler makes bogey
Friday 12 April 2024 23:18 , Ben Fleming
Scheffler -6 (13), McIlroy +3 (13), Schauffele +1 (13)
He needed some short-game magic and Scheffler almost produced it. The World No.1 hits a low, scuttling chip that checks nicely on the top plateau of the green but the par put just misses on the low side. A dropped shot but not the end of the world.
McIlroy’s birdie effort is a good one but just runs out of steam at the end. He and Schauffele settle for pars – that’s been a common occurrence today on the 13th.
Scheffler in the water
Friday 12 April 2024 23:12 , Ben Fleming
Scheffler -7 (12), McIlroy +3 (12), Schauffele +1 (12)
He is human after all! Scheffler’s second shot into the par-5 13th comes up short and splashes into the creek. With the pin right at the back of this green, it will take something special to avoid a dropped shot.
McIlroy and Schauffele both lay up but their wedge shots leave themselves with only outside looks at birdie.
Cam Smith inside the top ten
Friday 12 April 2024 23:10 , Ben Fleming
Smith -2 (12)
The 2022 Open Champion had a bout of food poisoning last week but looks in good knick here at Augusta as he pours one in for birdie at the par-3 12th. Into the top ten and could be one to watch out for as the weekend progresses.
Mickelson battling away
Friday 12 April 2024 23:08 , Ben Fleming
Mickelson +2 (16)
We’ve not seen too much from Phil today but he knocks in a par at 16 to keep himself at two over par and well within the cut line. Another impressive showing from ‘lefty’ at Augusta National.
Fortunate break for Rory
Friday 12 April 2024 22:59 , Ben Fleming
Scheffler -7 (12), McIlroy +3 (12), Schauffele +1 (12)
His drive is long and left into the par-3 12th but he catches a good break as his chip clatters off the pin and comes to a stop. That could have gone on for quite a while longer.
A par, then, for Rory who needs to attack the upcoming par 5s.
Scheffler taps in for his par also, while Schauffele gets up and down superbly from the back bunker after an awful stance. Nicely done.
Chip in for An!
Friday 12 April 2024 22:57 , Ben Fleming
An -1 (16)
You’ll struggle to see many birdies from that spot on 16 but Byeong Hun An somehow finds the cup to move into the red with two holes to play.
Double bogey for McIlroy
Friday 12 April 2024 22:47 , Ben Fleming
Scheffler -7 (11), McIlroy +3 (11), Schauffele +1 (11)
From the drop, McIlroy gives himself a chance of escaping with a bogey after a deft chip but the putt slides by again. Not one putt of note has dropped for him today and he drops back to +3 after a double-bogey six.
Schauffele drops a shot but Scheffler retains his solo lead with a par.
Bogey at the last for Bryson
Friday 12 April 2024 22:44 , Ben Fleming
DeChambeau -6 (73)
The overnight leader pays the price for an overhit approach into the final green. He’s in a similar spot to where Willett was about 15 minutes ago and, like the Englishman, DeChambeau can’t avoid a three putt.
His first effort comes up short before the par putt slides by the right side. A bogey at the last sees him finish one over par for the day and drop back alongside Homa at -6. In the conditions, that’s not bad at all and he’ll be right in amongst it tomorrow.
McIlroy in the water
Friday 12 April 2024 22:35 , Ben Fleming
Scheffler -7 (10), McIlroy +1 (10), Schauffele E (10)
A real difficult task, judging the wind in these conditions but Scheffler superbly cuts a low draw under the wind to the front of 11 green.
McIlroy, meanwhile, takes a surprisingly aerial route with his iron and his ball gets caught in the wind and promptly dumped in the water left of the green. He was already eight back before the hole but the wheels are rapidly falling off his quest for this year’s green jacket.
Rahm in danger
Friday 12 April 2024 22:29 , Ben Fleming
Fitzpatrick -2 (11), Rahm +4 (11)
These greens are getting torturous as the wind continues to howl throughout the property. Rahm has a mammoth putt to line up on the 11th and leaves his first effort well short.
It’s a good roll at the second time of asking but it just dies to the left at the crucial moment. The defending champ is on the cutline right now and is in real danger of missing the weekend here.
Alongside him, Fitzpatrick does well with a similarly lengthy putt to get down in two and maintain his bogey-free card.
Birdie chance goes begging for Bryson
Friday 12 April 2024 22:23 , Ben Fleming
DeChambeau -7 (17)
The wind is howling out there right now and Bryson will be looking forward to getting in the clubhouse now. There’s a chance for one more birdie, though, after a stellar drive and chip on the par-4 17th but his putt just hangs out on the high side and doesn’t drop.
Still a good par and only one hole remaining.
Nightmare at the last for Willett
Friday 12 April 2024 22:21 , Ben Fleming
Willett -1 (75)
Oh, Danny. Just one more good swing off the tee was needed but he’s sliced that one way left into the trees down the right side. He punches out into the sand but from there it goes from bad to worse.
Too much sand with the first effort and the ball stays in the bunker. Too little sand with the second attempt and it flies long off the pin. The first putt rolls past the pin and the 2016 champion can’t make the come-backer.
He taps in for a gutwrenching triple bogey to drop back to -1 for the tournament. It’s still a remarkable first two days for the Englishman but that will leave a bitter taste in the mouth.
Super save from Bryson
Friday 12 April 2024 22:10 , Ben Fleming
DeChambeau -7 (16)
Wind? Wrong club? Who knows but Bryson airmails the 16th green and lands amongst the patrons. Hopefully, nobody was hurt but the American responds in superb style to get up and down to save his par.
Just two more to go now.
Scheffler joins DeChambeau at the top
Friday 12 April 2024 22:02 , Ben Fleming
Scheffler -7 (10), McIlroy +1 (10), Schauffele E (10)
Scottie Scheffler at his brutal best. Driver, wedge, tap-in birdie on one of Augusta’s hardest holes. Simply magical from the world no.1 who ties DeChambeau at the top.
McIlroy has an equally good opportunity from slightly further back but leaves his putt on the high side. Another missed putt and the frustration is clear to see. Schauffele saves his par superbly after a wild second shot.
DeChambeau misses out
Friday 12 April 2024 21:55 , Ben Fleming
DeChambeau -7 (15)
The American lays up on the par-5 15th but sees his curling left-to-right birdie effort just evade the cup. So close to a bounce-back birdie for the tournament leader.
Fitzpatrick going steady
Friday 12 April 2024 21:49 , Ben Fleming
Fitzpatrick -2 (10), Rahm +3 (10)
Another steady par for the Englishman – he’s one under par for his round today and right in the mix. Rahm, though, can’t get anything going and the Spaniard cuts a frustrated figure again as his birdie effort comes up agonisingly short.
Not the defence he would have wanted so far.
Missed opportunity for McIlroy
Friday 12 April 2024 21:47 , Ben Fleming
Scheffler -6 (9), McIlroy +1 (9), Schauffele E (9)
A disappointing effort from McIlroy, he’s straight up and out of it and knows what a waste that was. A two-over-par 38 on the front nine and work to do in the next couple of hours.
Scheffler, meanwhile, shows his short-game prowess with a perfectly judged chip to save par. Schauffele makes a par, too and this group has made the turn.
Work to do for Scheffler
Friday 12 April 2024 21:42 , Ben Fleming
Scheffler -6 (8), McIlroy +1 (8), Schauffele E (8)
Even the World No.1 can fall victim to the sloping green at the ninth as he sees his ball come trickling back down off the front. He’s got work to do to save his par.
McIlroy, meanwhile, gives himself a great look at birdie as he gets his chip spot on. How he’d love to convert that.
Tiger Woods makes record 24th consecutive Masters cut after gruelling day
Friday 12 April 2024 21:35 , Ben Fleming
Tiger Woods completed 23 holes in a day to make a record 24th consecutive cut in the Masters on another windswept day at Augusta National.
Woods had to shield his face from sand whipped from the bunkers on the 18th before tapping in for par to add a second round of 72 to his opening 73, a remarkable effort which prompted a standing ovation from the spectators around the green.
“I’ve been lucky enough to have been able to play this event for all these years,” Woods told ESPN.
“I did miss the cut as an amateur, but as a pro I’ve done well. It’s just an amazing aura that Augusta National has and I’ve been lucky enough coming here since I was 19 years old.”
Read more below:
Tiger Woods makes record 24th consecutive Masters cut after gruelling day
Fleetwood and Morikawa end with a flourish
Friday 12 April 2024 21:34 , Ben Fleming
Fleetwood -1 (71), Morikawa -3 (70)
Two stellar shots into the 18th from these two stellar iron players. Both make the most of it to end with birdies and they are nicely positioned heading into the weekend.
DeChambeau drops one back
Friday 12 April 2024 21:30 , Ben Fleming
DeChambeau -7 (14)
After all that remarkable work on the 13th, Bryson gives a shot back to the course on the very next hole. He’s forced to punch out from the rough and get up and down to save his par.
The putt is a stellar effort and catches the lip but doesn’t drop and his lead is just one again.
Scheffler bounces back
Friday 12 April 2024 21:27 , Ben Fleming
Scheffler -6 (8), McIlroy +1 (8), Schauffele E (8)
These par-5s have been far trickier today but Scheffler has still taken them apart with ease. He’s greenside in two and a deft chip almost threatens to go in for eagle. Still, a tap-in birdie to bounce back and get back within two of DeChambeau.
Schauffele gets himself back to even par with a birdie, too, but McIlroy only escapes with a par.
Aberg makes closing bogey as Spieth misses cut
Friday 12 April 2024 21:22 , Ben Fleming
Aberg -2 (69), Theegala +4 (74), Spieth +9 (74)
Aberg’s rock-solid driving lets him down at the last as he ends up in the trees. The Swede is short of the green in three but does well to get up and down and ensure it’s just one dropped shot. Still, a round of 69 is the round of the day and has him sitting nicely inside the top ten.
Theegala makes his par at the last to make the cut on the number but one man who won’t be here at the weekend is Jordan Spieth as he signs off for a two-over-par 74 to finish +9 for the tournament. Not the tournament the past champion would have hoped for.
Daylight for DeChambeau
Friday 12 April 2024 21:14 , Ben Fleming
DeChambeau -8 (13)
How on earth has Bryson made birdie from there?
Having bailed way right into the patrons off the tee, he then punches out onto the 14th fairway before flying a remarkable approach up onto that top tier and knocking in a putt for birdie.
The former US Open champion suddenly leads by two.
Bogey, bogey, bogey
Friday 12 April 2024 21:11 , Ben Fleming
Scheffler -5 (7), McIlroy +1 (7), Schauffele +1 (7)
It is tough out there and boy doesn’t this penultimate group know it. Scheffler is in trouble off the tee and finds the sand with his second. He can’t get up and down and it’s another bogey for the World No.1.
McIlroy’s bogey is clumsy with sand wedge in hand, leaving his approach shot in the fringe and failing to get up and down to save his par. Schauffele, too, fails to save par and that’s a hole to forget for all three.
Morikawa making a move
Friday 12 April 2024 21:07 , Ben Fleming
Morikawa -3 (16)
We’ve seen little of the two-time major champion today but he’s quietly producing one of the rounds of the day to sneak into a tie for sixth. He missed a great look at birdie on the 15th but more than makes up for it with a lovely birdie at the par-3 16th.
Woods makes record 24th consecutive cut
Friday 12 April 2024 21:00 , Ben Fleming
Woods +1 (72), Homa -6 (71), Day +4 (73)
As if there was ever any doubt. Up and down for an even-par round? No problem. Simply remarkable from Woods who soldiered through 23 holes today to finish up at +1 and make a record-breaking 24th consecutive cut at Augusta National. It simply beggars belief.
Homa’s birdie putt slides by but he taps in for an extremely impressive round of 71. As it stands he’s just one off the lead and will be right in the mix tomorrow.
Day can’t save his par at the last but he’ll still be here at the weekend and will look forward to some more benign conditions.
Amen Corner takes another victim
Friday 12 April 2024 20:52 , Ben Fleming
Conners +2 (11)
Double bogey at 10 followed by double bogey at 11 means the Canadian has tumbled down the leaderboard. He was just three off the lead about an hour ago.
Wonderful from Homa
Friday 12 April 2024 20:50 , Ben Fleming
Woods +1 (17), Homa -6 (17), Day +3 (17)
The American summons memories of Sandy Lyle all those years ago as he flies a superb downwind bunker shot over the pin, using the slope to pull his back towards the hole. A great chance for birdie to end an excellent round.
Woods leaks his out to the right and will have work to do to save his par.
Short-game magic from Scheffler
Friday 12 April 2024 20:47 , Ben Fleming
Scheffler -6 (6), McIlroy E (6), Schauffele E (6)
Just exquisite from Scheffler as his chip rolls out to within a few inches on the par-3 sixth. He knocks that in for par, as do McIlroy and Schauffele.
DeChambeau back at the top
Friday 12 April 2024 20:44 , Ben Fleming
DeChambeau -7 (12)
A gutsy response from the American after the dropped shot at 11 as he flies his tee shot right over the flag at the par-3 12th. A tricky little putt down the slope but it’s right in the heart for Bryson who takes back the solo lead heading into the two par 5s at 13 and 15.
Aberg on the charge
Friday 12 April 2024 20:42 , Ben Fleming
Aberg -4 (16)
The young Swede is putting together the round of the day and moves within three of the lead as he pours in a birdie at the par-3 16th. A major championship debut but not even a sniff of nerves.
Rahm in trouble
Friday 12 April 2024 20:38 , Ben Fleming
Rahm +3 (6)
The Spaniard’s defence of his title is sinking without a trace as he makes his second bogey of the day at the par-3 sixth. He’s just not looked the same this week – perhaps that’s the green jacket weighing heavy on his shoulders.
Woods heads down the last
Friday 12 April 2024 20:36 , Ben Fleming
Woods +1 (17), Homa -6 (17), Day +3 (17)
Woods has work to do to save his par but does so expertly to keep himself at level par for the round.
Homa, meanwhile, now finds himself in a three-way tie for the lead but shows no signs of nerves as he, too knocks in a par. An uber-consistent display from him today.
Day also makes par as this group heads to the 18th tee.
Bogeys for McIlroy and Scheffler
Friday 12 April 2024 20:34 , Ben Fleming
Scheffler -6 (5), McIlroy E (5), Schauffele E (5)
Well, Scottie’s lead didn’t last long! His last year was plagued with misses like that and the putter comes back to haunt him yet again as he misses a tiddler for his par.
McIlroy, meanwhile, makes a mess of the fifth, flying his third shot over the back of the green and leaving himself a testing bogey putt. It’s a good recovery from the Northern Irishman in the end but a first backwards step for the 34-year-old
Schauffele with a much-more regulation par.
DeChambeau drops back
Friday 12 April 2024 20:30 , Ben Fleming
DeChambeau -6 (11)
The 11th is proving a tricky customer today, which might not come as a great surprise. Bryson bails out to the right with this second – in a similar manner to Homa earlier – and he too can’t get up and down to save his par.
Scheffler has the solo lead, then.
Bogey for Willett
Friday 12 April 2024 20:24 , Ben Fleming
Willett -4 (12)
The Englishman’s tee shot flies through the back at the par-3 12th and it’s an uphill putter from there. Willett opts for the flat stick but can’t get it down in two to save his par.
Pars all round on 16
Friday 12 April 2024 20:17 , Ben Fleming
Woods +1 (16), Homa -6 (16), Day +3 (16)
A couple of stellar approaches from Woods and Homa into this 16th green. Homa has the better of the chances but can’t get his to drop. Still, a par does him no harm.
Woods now has just two holes to navigate, with the projected cut line now at +5. Barring a catastrophe in the closing stages, the 15-time major champion should be at Augusta for a record 24th consecutive week.
Par for DeChambeau
Friday 12 April 2024 20:11 , Ben Fleming
DeChambeau -7 (10)
It’s a solid start to Amen Corner for the co-leader, knocking in a steady par to remain at -7. After a somewhat shakey start, he’s looked a lot more solid in recent holes.
Good saves from Scheffler and McIlroy
Friday 12 April 2024 20:09 , Ben Fleming
Scheffler -7 (4), McIlroy -1 (4), Schauffele E (4)
Both McIlroy and Scheffler leak their tee shots out to the left on this par-3 fourth but it’s two splendid chips to ensure neither will drop a shot early in the round.
A solid start for all three as they move on to the testing fifth.
Bounce-back birdie for Woods
Friday 12 April 2024 20:07 , Ben Fleming
Woods +1 (15), Homa -6 (15), Day +3 (15)
Just remarkable from Woods. Much has been rightly made of his injury-plagued condition but he shows no sign of it there, unleashing two monster blows to reach the par-5 15th in two. The eagle evades him but a timely birdie gets him back to even par for the round.
Homa’s birdie putt flies past the hole but he’ll knock that in for a birdie to stay just one back. Day remains one shot above the cut line as he, too, makes par.
Fox moves within three
Friday 12 April 2024 20:04 , Ben Fleming
Fox -4 (8)
A really steady start from the Kiwi is rewarded with a birdie at the par-5 eighth to move him up to -4 and within three of the lead. That’ll do very nicely.
Aberg making a move
Friday 12 April 2024 20:01 , Ben Fleming
Aberg -2 (13)
What a stellar run this is from the Swede who has now made four birdies in his last six holes. It’s a rip-roaring drive down the par-5 13th which allows him to reach the green in two.
A good lag putt allows him a look at birdie and he makes no mistake. The Masters debutant moves into the top ten.
Bogey-bogey finish for Hojgaard
Friday 12 April 2024 19:56 , Ben Fleming
Hojgaard -4 (73)
A shame for the young Dane who follows his bogey at the 17th with another at 18. The approach into the green comes up short but it’s a poor missed put to save par.
He’ll be disappointed by that but it’s still a very steady round in those tricky conditions. He won’t be too far off the lead by the end of today that is for sure.
Another good look at birdie for Scheffler
Friday 12 April 2024 19:49 , Ben Fleming
Scheffler -7 (3), McIlroy -1 (3), Schauffele E (3)
A superb shot from the sand from Scheffler gives him a great look at birdie but the effort evades him. Still, a promising start for Scheffler in the tricky conditions.
McIlroy lags a length putt past the hole but knocks in a superb par save to stay at -1. A confidence-boosting putt for him, that.
Homa holding steady; Woods makes bogey
Friday 12 April 2024 19:46 , Ben Fleming
Woods +2 (14), Homa -6 (14), Day +3 (14)
Max sits just one back of the lead but I’m sure he’d be delighted if he could hang around that mark by the end of his round. A very tidy up and down from the back of 14 green means he saves par and stays at -6.
Woods, meanwhile, airmails the green with an uncharacteristically wild iron shot. He chips out to eight feet but the par-saving putt evades him. Back to +2 he goes – two above the cut mark with four to go.
DeChambeau misses out at the eighth
Friday 12 April 2024 19:37 , Ben Fleming
DeChambeau -7 (8)
The par-5s are proving far trickier than yesterday with the wind whirling around Augusta.
At the eighth, DeChambeau leaks his second out to the right and can’t get up and down for a birdie to remain at -7 and tied with Scheffler.
Birdie for Willett; bogey for Hojgaard
Friday 12 April 2024 19:34 , Ben Fleming
Willett -5 (10), Hojgaard -5 (17)
The tournament just keeps better for Willett as he produces a dart of an iron into the tricky 10th. That’s a kick-in birdie for the Englishman to go under par for his round and move just two off the lead.
He’s joined there by Nicolai Hojgaard after a wayward tee shot means he drops a shot at the penultimate hole.
Scheffler joins DeChambeau at the top
Friday 12 April 2024 19:32 , Ben Fleming
Scheffler -7 (2), McIlroy -1 (2), Schauffele E (2)
A masterclass in how to deal with a par-5 from Scheffler as he unleashes two healthy blows down the second before chipping close and tapping in for an easy birdie.
He’s at the top now alongside DeCheambeau and looking really good.
McIlroy and Schauffele, meanwhile, make their pars.
13th hole proving tricky
Friday 12 April 2024 19:29 , Ben Fleming
Woods +1 (13), Homa -6 (13), Day +3 (13)
The pin is right back on the 13th green at the top of a plateau and it’s far from easy to get to. All three lay up but can’t judge the distance right with their wedge efforts and have to settle with pars.
Spieth running out of time
Friday 12 April 2024 19:22 , Ben Fleming
Aberg E (11), Spieth +8 (11), Theegala +4 (11)
Spieth makes an untimely bogey at the 11th and he needs to go at least -4 thru his final seven holes, you would suspect, to make the weekend. Theegala is sitting on the likely cutline right now, while Aberg holed a nice par save to keep him at level par and just outside the top 20.
Willett makes the turn
Friday 12 April 2024 19:14 , Ben Fleming
Willett -4 (9)
Another solid par for Willett who makes the turn in even par. It’s worth repeating that this is his first competitive start in over six months and he’s just three back of the lead.
Can he navigate Amen Corner and cash in with some birdies coming in?
Homa, Woods and Day through Amen Corner
Friday 12 April 2024 19:08 , Ben Fleming
Woods +1 (12), Homa -6 (12), Day +3 (12)
Great approaches into the par-three 12th for Homa and Day and both two-putt for their par. Woods is in a slight spot of bother but showcases his touch around Augusta once again to save par and remain at +1.
All three negotiated Amen Corner well enough and will now look to find some birdies at 13 and 15.
Scheffler misses out
Friday 12 April 2024 19:07 , Ben Fleming
Scheffler -6 (1), McIlroy -1 (1), Schauffele E (1)
He’s going to give himself a lot of looks if he keeps hitting his irons like that. A superb approach but he pushes his birdie effort just out to the right.
McIlroy’s tee shot ended up in the fairway bunker but he does well to muscle it out from an awkward lie to the green. It’s a length downhill putt which almost threatens to drop in but it races just past the hole.
He knocks in for his par as does Schauffele and on to the second they go.
DeChambeau back to the top
Friday 12 April 2024 19:03 , Ben Fleming
DeChambeau -7 (7)
A much-needed boost for the American who sees his name back at the top of the leaderboard as he pours in a great birdie at the seventh. The par-5 eighth to come, too, so a chance for back-to-back birdies.
Conners and Fox starting steady
Friday 12 April 2024 19:01 , Ben Fleming
Conners -3 (5), Fox -3 (5)
The bigger names may be stealing the limelight but Corey Conners and Ryan Fox are going about their business nicely and both sit just three shots back of the lead. Conners with a birdie at the second, while Fox starts with five straight pars.
Eagle for Willett!
Friday 12 April 2024 18:57 , Ben Fleming
Willett -4 (8)
Well, that works! Willett holes out from the fairway at the par-5 eighth for a huge eagle that propels him up into fifth and just two back of the lead.
He’s hanging in there is the 2016 champion.
Scheffler and McIlroy underway
Friday 12 April 2024 18:54 , Ben Fleming
Scheffler -6, McIlroy -1, Schauffele E
So here we go. The World No. 1 Scheffler is ready to begin his second round. He’s looked imperious in recent months but faces Augusta at it’s most fearsome today with the winds up and greens firm.
He finds the fairway with a beauty of a drive, while McIlroy and Schauffele are out on the right side. The latter two need to make a move today but the course is playing tricky so they’ll have to avoid getting too gready.
Four-way tie at the top
Friday 12 April 2024 18:50 , Ben Fleming
Woods +1 (11), Homa -6 (11), Day +3 (11)
Well, all of a sudden that Hojgaard birdie looks even better. He’s now into a share of the lead as Homa fails to save his par at the 11th.
The American bails right into the tricky 11th green and can’t get up and down to save his par.
Day, too, can’t save his par and drops back to +3 but it’s another bit of short-game magic from Woods to save his par and remain at +1.
Another birdie for Hojgaard
Friday 12 April 2024 18:48 , Ben Fleming
Hojgaard -6 (14)
Nervless stuff from Hojgaard as a sparkling iron shot into the 14th is rewarded with a second successive birdie for the Dane that propels him to within one of the lead.
What a debut this is.
Missed birdie chance for DeChambeau
Friday 12 April 2024 18:44 , Ben Fleming
DeChambeau -6 (6)
For a putter of his standard, that birdie attempt is tame from Bryson, to put it mildly. The ball peeters out to the right and well short of the hole from a makeable range.
The American still struggling to get going in this second round.
Double-bogey for Young
Friday 12 April 2024 18:34 , Ben Fleming
Young -2 (11)
He’d been chugging along nicely had Young but an errant approach shot into the 11th ends up in the water and it’s a costly mistake for the American.
A double-bogey six moves him back to -2 but he’s got the two par 5s coming up to try and bounce back.
Good par save for Bryson
Friday 12 April 2024 18:32 , Ben Fleming
DeChambeau -6 (5)
A poor iron shot from the middle of the fairway leeks out to the left and leaves him a potentially treacherous two-putt across the slope. It’s well negotiated, though, from DeChambeau as he gets down in two to stay within one of Homa.
Hojgaard within two
Friday 12 April 2024 18:30 , Ben Fleming
Hojgaard -5 (13)
The Dane continues to hang around, reaching the par-5 13th in two before lagging his eagle putt up to the hole for a tap-in birdie.
Just two back of Homa and a with a couple more chances coming in.
Pars all round
Friday 12 April 2024 18:26 , Ben Fleming
Woods +1 (10), Homa -7 (10), Day +2 (10)
All three negotiate the tricky tenth well, Homa, in particular, lagging a tricky putt down the slope superbly to secure his par.
Back-to-back birdies for Aberg
Friday 12 April 2024 18:24 , Ben Fleming
Aberg E (9)
Theegala and Spieth are struggling around him but the Swede has battled back after bogeys at five and six.
A birdie at the par-5 eighth is followed up with a superb approach into the ninth which leaves him a tap-in birdie to get back to even par for the tournament. Great stuff from the Masters debutant.
Amen Corner nightmare for Watson
Friday 12 April 2024 18:22 , Ben Fleming
Watson + 10 (12)
Amen Corner claims its first victim in the form of two-time past champion Bubba Watson. The American was +2 as he made the turn but now sits at +10 as he heads to the 13th tee.
Double-bogey six at the 10th.
Quadruple-bogey eight at the 11th.
Double-bogey five at the 12th.
Ouch.
Davis in the clubhouse
Friday 12 April 2024 18:18 , Ben Fleming
Davis -3 (72)
The Australian is one of the first back in the clubhouse and it’s a hard-fought 72 for the Australian that will leave him right in the mix come the weekend.
Bogey for DeChambeau
Friday 12 April 2024 18:14 , Ben Fleming
DeChambeau -6 (4)
Not the start Bryson would have had in mind as a wild tee shot into the par-3 fourth has him scrambling to save his par. The American can’t manage it and drops back alongside Scheffler at -6.
We have a new solo leader in Max Homa.
Double bogey for Willett
Friday 12 April 2024 18:08 , Ben Fleming
Willett -2 (5)
Ah, that’s less than ideal for Willett as his approach into the fifth kicks off the downslope and goes into the bushes beyond the green. The Englishman can only hack out from there and is unable to get up and down to avoid a double-bogey.
Co-leader Homa makes the turn
Friday 12 April 2024 18:06 , Ben Fleming
Woods +1 (9), Homa -7 (9), Day +2 (9)
Homa’s ball-striking has remained excellent so far this round and it’s giving him plenty of looks at birdie. A slippery one at the ninth doesn’t quite drop but it’s a bogey-free 34 on the front nine for the co-leader.
Day, meanwhile, finally gets one to drop, ending his eight-hole par streak with a vital birdie to move him closer to even par.
Woods makes a battling par – his first since the second hole – to card an even-par first nine. The projected cut mark sits at +3 so he’s got a couple of shots to work with as things stand.
Click here to read the full blog on The Independent’s website
First appeared on sports.yahoo.com