The Grasp’s Program 86 shouldn’t be quick on huge names. In fact, the primary title to seem this week within the Augusta Nationwide is Tiger Woods. After the opening spherical, 1-under 71 is within the combine. It isn’t the one title identified close to the highest.
We have rounded up our consultants to see what’s coming subsequent as this 12 months’s first majors in Spherical Two.
Table of Contents
Tiger Woods began effectively. What do you anticipate from him within the second spherical?
Mark Schlabach: I believed he’d go 2-under 70 within the opening spherical, and he ended up at 1-under 71. He’ll drop on Friday. Tiger simply has an unimaginable ache threshold and dedication to compete. A lot of his errors on Thursday are correctable. Woods stated he had a nasty warm-up and did not really feel snug leaving the observe space for the match. Featured on the tee and across the greens. If he shoots these areas and retains placing them like he did within the first spherical, he’ll drop on Friday and he’ll be within the combine this weekend.
Michael Collins: Anticipate him to hit a 1 in spherical 2. Even parity ought to make the lower simply if the climate forecast holds. Except he by chance slept together with his leg within the ice. In fact I am joking. I am certain Tiger’s has their very own cryotherapy unit which has an auto shut off.
Kevin Van Valkenburg: I believed he regarded stiff and a little bit hesitant on Thursday, and I hope a full night time and morning of remedy will assist him chill out by afternoon. I feel he would hit higher on Friday together with his iron, however he had a number of breaks on Thursday that made up for it. I used to be anticipating one thing comparable, roughly.
Nick Petroszkevich: As standard, it depends upon how the physique feels. However if you happen to really feel he is free sufficient to let him swing the way in which he did on Thursday and even near that, he will not again up. He has an unparalleled capability to get round Augusta Nationwide. Thursday’s 71 got here regardless of a really dangerous chopping day, and as soon as once more, they did not benefit from their 5s. He knew he may play earlier than he acquired right here or else he would not have come right here. On Friday, a quantity within the 60s will come.
Which participant, not named Tiger Woods, did you want essentially the most about heading into the second spherical?
Schalbach: Joaquin Neiman. I watched Niemann, a 23-year-old from Chile, go into the wires to win the Genesis Invitational on the Riviera in mid-February. He is very proficient and he is lastly beginning to present up. Opening with a 3-under 69, whereas taking part in with Woods on Thursday, is spectacular. He had three birds and an eagle on the ninth, knocking him down from 105 yards off the green. The sixth eagle was the ninth within the historical past of the masters.
Collins: Scotty Scheffler. There’s often disappointment after attending to primary too shortly, however Schaeffler retains going all the way in which. He has an amazing perspective, and the way in which he works with the canister Ted Scott jogs my memory of Jordan Spieth and Michael Griller in 2015.
Van Valkenburg: Sungjae im. I have been an enormous fan for years, as a result of it is actually enjoyable to look at him shoot nails. He is actually fearless, and I really like the distinctive twists.
Petroszkiewicz: Cameron Smith. It is one thing to start out and finish the spherical with a double ghost and also you keep on the primary web page of the leaderboard. However that is what occurs if you toss eight birds at Augusta Nationwide. The query is what occurred within the second spherical: all these sparrows or the 2 huge numbers? It is too good, which has been clear for some time now, to care an excessive amount of about bugs. He will not separate from the packaging, however will put up one other good one on Friday.
Which huge title worries you essentially the most and may be headed residence earlier than the weekend even begins?
Schalbach: There hasn’t been a first-time Masters winner since Zweiler’s win in 1979. There is a purpose. Augusta Nationwide is taking a very long time to determine, and budding star Sam Burns realized simply that this week. Shot 3 on a 75 on Thursday.
Collins: Justin Thomas. I really feel dangerous for him as a result of he spent all that point with Tiger Woods and his sport would not appear to be in an excellent place now. Everybody was left questioning what would have occurred if he had been egocentric and labored alone this week. In all probability the identical end result, however nobody is aware of.
Van Valkenburg: Bryson DeShambou appears misplaced. I do know he is injured, however I am undecided that taking part in by means of this harm advantages him. It may be time to close it down.
Petroszkiewicz: There is just one reply right here and that’s Justin Thomas. He shot 76, the identical quantity printed by Bernhard Langer’s Everlasting. Nicely, Langer is 64 years previous, however you get the purpose. I am with Michael. The tiger vortex had an impact.
Which participant, not his title is Tiger Woods, do you could have an eye fixed for Friday’s tour?
Schalbach: Corey Conners. The Canadian would not get practically sufficient credit score for a way cool he’s. He is likely one of the finest ironclad gamers on the planet and already has a pair of prime 10 gamers in 4 matches on the Augusta Nationwide. Hitting 13 of 18 greens and 10 of 14 passes on Thursday. Even higher, Connors has had below-par scores in every of his earlier 4 second rounds, together with 65 in 2020 (when he tied for tenth) and 69 in 2023 (when he tied for eighth).
Collins: Patrick Reed. Appears to be like shut and loves this golf course. Crimson just lately discontinued, however everyone knows the magic this place holds within the hearts of former champions. He additionally likes to play in tough circumstances. If every part performs out, I anticipate Captain America B to get a number of pictures off the lead by Friday night time.
Van Valkenburg: I will take Shane Laurie. I believed he had an actual shot coming this week, however he simply could not maintain out for a fairly good day. Hopefully the wind blowing on Friday might be in his favour.
Petroszkiewicz: Patrick Cantlay opened with 79 a 12 months in the past. This was it. He regarded as if he was headed for one more clunker on Thursday. At 13, he figured issues out. He made a birdie there and on the fifteenth, then stuffed his tee into the sixteenth to climb third into 4 holes. As soon as it is gone, concentrate. The man he is in search of might be the remainder of the sphere on his option to the weekend.
What do you consider Augusta Nationwide’s taking part in on Thursday, and what do you anticipate misplaced on Friday?
Schalbach: The winds will begin to drop and can proceed to howl till the ultimate spherical on Sunday. The forecast requires winds of 20 to 30 mph on Friday, with stronger gusts. Then it’ll get cooler on Saturday with 15 to 25 mph winds. The tiger won’t like cooler temperatures, however it’ll love the wind. Many different gamers will not.
Collins: Listening to Jon Ram’s speak about clay balls is disappointing. Most gamers haven’t had this drawback. It was brisk and how briskly the sky cleared, temperatures rose and winds rose. That is why, when the wind begins pumping tomorrow, anticipate this place to distribute many extra levels equally than under par.
Van Valkenburg: It is going to get harder. Way more tough. Which I like for the tiger. The wind goes to blow actually arduous and I wish to see which gamers can management the flight of the ball. This one has tiger and limp and all, proper in it.
Petroszkiewicz: Within the revamped eleventh gap, Woods hit a 283-yard drive. Not precisely Bryson DeShampoo’s space, nevertheless it’s nonetheless fairly good. He had 242 yards left! Equal 4! So even after a number of days with intervals of huge thunderstorms, Augusta Nationwide did not play straightforward. On Friday, the temperature is anticipated to lower and the winds are anticipated to rise additional. Issues will not get any simpler. Nevertheless it’s difficult, honest, and enjoyable – at the least for the individuals who watch it.
