The Masters started with a bang on Thursday, as players went low on a wet, calm (and quiet) day at Augusta National Golf Club. On Friday the red numbers have continued, and this year's event is on pace for the lowest 36-hole cut in Masters history. Morning Read will check in periodically on Friday’s action at Augusta National.
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Casey leads after rain-delayed opening day
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FRIDAY FINAL NOTES:
An incomplete second round; a large group of contenders
Play was stopped at about 5:45 local time on Friday, and nearly half of the field had not completed their second rounds. At things currently stand, the leaderboard is packed. Four players share the lead at 9 under: Dustin Johnson, Abraham Ancer, Cameron Smith and Justin Thomas. Four more players are one back: Jon Rahm, Sungjae Im, Hideki Matsuyama and Patrick Cantlay. Rahm has a birdie putt waiting for him on the 13th hole on Saturday morning when play resumes, and he could join the leaders at 9 under.
All told, 21 players are within four shots of the lead, including Justin Rose (-7), Patrick Reed (-6), Phil Mickelson (-5) and Brooks Koepka (-5). Saturday is typically considered "moving day," and this Masters should have much action up and down the board as any before it.
Tiger is grinding
Tiger Woods shot a smooth 68 in his opening round Thursday morning, but Friday he got off to a choppier start. He three-putted the par-4 3rd hole for a bogey and made another bogey on 7 after missing the fairway to the right. He offset those bogeys with birdies on each of the front nine's par 5s -- 2 and 8 -- and he's at even par 36 through nine holes of his second round (and 4 under for the tournament). He'll head back out Saturday morning to play the back nine and wrap up his second round.
Tiger Woods with an up-and-down birdie on No. 8. #themasters pic.twitter.com/JzgyfabWK7
— The Masters (@TheMasters) November 13, 2020
Bryson's wild ride
Bryson DeChambeau entered this Masters as perhaps the most-buzzed-about player in the field (an accomplishment in its own right), and the betting favorite. But a win this week is now an extreme long shot. He's struggling through his second round, and a triple-bogey 7 on the par-4 3rd -- a hole he very nearly reached with his tee shot on Thursday -- likely sealed his fate. DeChambeau's tee shot on Friday wasn't that far off line, but it was lost in the thick rye grass.
Bryson DeChambeau finished with a triple bogey on No. 3 after losing his tee shot in the rough. He followed with a bogey on No. 4 and sits two shots below the projected cut line.
Friday’s rounds are live now on ESPN ⛳️ pic.twitter.com/S2PQUWv7hu
— ESPN (@espn) November 13, 2020
DeChambeau birdied No. 12 as the sun set on Augusta, but he probably needs at least one more birdie when he finishes his third round Saturday morning to make the cut.
FRIDAY MID-DAY NOTES:
DJ storms to the front, then stalls
Dustin Johnson made a run late in his opening round to grab the co-lead, and after a quick break, he's back on the course and lighting up Augusta National. Starting his second round on No. 10, DJ birdied 11, 12 and 13 to seize a three-shot lead.
The lead extends to two with another birdie from Dustin Johnson. #themasters pic.twitter.com/c7nkL69wj5
— The Masters (@TheMasters) November 13, 2020
The momentum didn't last. Johnson bogeyed 14 and 15, and then parred his way around Augusta, all the way to the 9th (his final hole of the day), where he knocked in a 5-footer for birdie to tie Justin Thomas, Cameron Smith and Abraham Ancer for the lead at 9 under.
FRIDAY MORNING NOTES - ROUND 1 CONCLUDES:
Rory McIlroy falters
There’s just something about Augusta National that doesn’t mix well with Rory McIlroy. Ever since he kicked away a four-shot lead in the final round in 2011, McIlroy seems almost haunted by Augusta. (To be fair, he’s played himself into contention a few times, but 2011 remains his best chance in his 11 career starts at this event.)
On this edition’s serene, patron-less track, McIlroy went out early Friday morning to finish up his weather-delayed first round. The wheels fell off quickly. He snapped a tee shot into the trees on 13 and made bogey.
I like these “pro golfers: they’re just like us” posts usually but not the culprit is Rory and I am sad :( #themasters pic.twitter.com/EvnV54tAo3
— Rory McIlroy Tracker (@RMcIlroyTracker) November 13, 2020
And he rinsed his tee shot on 16 en route to another bogey.
At least his awareness is on point #themasters pic.twitter.com/RJLih4HRCB
— Rory McIlroy Tracker🌺 (@RoryTrackerPGA) November 13, 2020
He finished with a 3-over 75 and will need a big round Friday afternoon just to make the cut.
Phil Mickelson starts strong
Phil Mickelson, a three-time Masters winner, hasn’t done much on the PGA Tour this season (he did win twice on the Champions Tour), but Augusta has a way of bringing out his best. Mickelson finished off his opening round Friday morning with a flourish and a 3-under 69. He’s right back on the course to start his second round.
A past champion's course knowledge on display. #themasters pic.twitter.com/z6vGUky9eP
— The Masters (@TheMasters) November 13, 2020
Two new co-leaders
Paul Casey slept on the lead Thursday night, but history will say that three players shared the lead after Round 1 officially concluded. Thirty-year-old Dylan Frittelli, playing in his second Masters, polished off a 65 Friday morning, punctuated by three birdies and an eagle (on 13) on the back nine. Moments later, Dustin Johnson rolled in with a 65 to match. Like the rest of Thursday’s late wave that finished their first rounds Friday morning, they went right back out to start Round 2.
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