History is made! Matsuyama clings on for Masters glory on dramatic final day at Augusta
Masters round-up: Friday
What is it about this place that Jordan Spieth loves so much? After securing his first win for almost four years in his home state last week, the Texan put on a vintage display on day two to of the Masters to give himself a chance of a second Green Jacket.
After a 68 to head into the weekend tied-4th at 5-under-par, the stats are pointing towards a fairytale return to the dizzy heights of 2015.
If the numbers are to be believed, there is also no sign of Spieth taking his foot off the gas at Augusta, especially with this phenomenal Masters record.
Justin Rose, who led by four after 18 holes, will take a one-shot lead into the weekend after an even-par second round, while debutant Will Zalatoris – who was ranked outside the top 500 a little more than a year ago – carded a round of 68 that any Augusta veteran would have been proud of to move into a tie for 2nd with Brian Harman at 6-under.
Marc Leishman joins Spieth at 4-under, and there’s an added incentive for Justin Thomas to go on and win…
Going home
With the field average scoring more than two shots better than the first round, Friday really was an opportunity to make a score and head on into the weekend. Unfortunately, Rory McIlroy and Lee Westwood didn’t get the memo.
McIlroy remains in the midst of a well-publicised slump, with the work he and Pete Cowen have to do only too apparent throughout his 36 holes at Augusta this week. His wait goes on.
And after a lot of hype pre-tournament, Westwood never really got going and even struggled to muster a fight to make the cut.
Also heading for the proverbial early bath are defending champion Dustin Johnson, Brooks Koepka, Jason Day, Matthew Wolff, Matt Kuchar, and Sergio Garcia.
Team GB&I watch
Which of our hopes of a British or Irish winner made the weekend?
Justin Rose (-7): A slow start for Rose, rescued by three birdies on the back nine to shoot level par.
Shane Lowry (E): The worst possible opening for Lowry with a double bogey on one and a bogey on two, but rectified on the back nine to shoot 1-over-par.
Matthew Fitzpatrick (E): Three birdies and just one bogey for Fitzpatrick, who gives himself an outside chance.
Tommy Fleetwood (E): Two steps in the right direction for Fleetwood, helped by four birdies on the front nine in round two.
Robert MacIntyre (E): The debutant makes the weekend with an impressive 2-under-par second round.
Tyrrell Hatton (+1): As the rest of the field make moves, Hatton will be disappointed with a two-over-par second round courtesy of a double bogey at 13.
Martin Laird (+1): Bogey-bogey finish took the shine off a solid round for Laird.
Matt Wallace (+2): Three-under-par through ten holes today so will be disappointed with an even par round.
Paul Casey (+3): Bogey-bogey finish for Casey, who will breathe a sigh of relief as he makes it to the weekend.
Ian Poulter (+3): One birdie and a double-bogey mean that Poulter scrapes through by the skin of his teeth.
And it’s goodbye to the following…
Danny Willett (+5)
Rory McIlroy (+6)
Lee Westwood (+6)
Ian Woosnam (+9)
Joe Long (+10)
Sandy Lyle (+12)
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Bryson finally comes good
Remember this statement from Bryson DeChambeau? Well, today he finally delivered at the sixth time of asking.
I mean you can be forgiven for missing it, nobody has really mentioned it.
‘Wood’ you believe it?
Si Woo Kim provided one of the most relatable golf moments in recent Masters history today when he did this…
To add further insult to injury, Kim had to play the remaining four holes putting with his wood.
We’ve all been there.
Best shot of the day
Cameron Smith showed us all what a player he is when finishing runner-up at the Masters in November. After a quiet opening round, he surged into contention on Friday, with this shot being a particular highlight.
On a day of top quality golf, picking one shot was far too difficult. So have another one on me from Xander Schauffele…
Worst shot of the day
Short chip from the back of the green for one of the best short game players in the world. No problem – or so you would think…
Can’t fault his commitment to relatable content.
Fashion police
Sorry Viktor, you had your chance yesterday. You brought this on yourself…
Stat(s) of the day
Another corker from stat god Justin Ray to round off a fantastic day of Masters action.
Anyway, that’s enough from me today. Check back tomorrow for another round up of the day’s action at Augusta National.
If you missed anything from Thursday’s first day at Augusta, including an intriguing incident on the 1st tee with Gary Player, scroll down and hit ‘next page’…
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Alex Perry
Alex has been the editor of National Club Golfer since 2017. A Devonian who enjoys wittering on about his south west roots, Alex moved north to join NCG after more than a decade in London, the last five of which were with ESPN. Away from golf, Alex follows Torquay United and spends too much time playing his PlayStation or his guitar and not enough time practising his short game.
