2024 Masters: Day 2
Posted on April 13, 2024
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Friday at The Masters
Friday was a big turnaround from Thursday, with Augusta producing record high scores on a day when gusts reached 40mph at times. There was many a poignant scene on 18 as the bunker’s sand kept out bursting out of the bunkers and lashing any nearby player.
In the end, we have a 3 way tie at the top at 6 under and the cut-line falling at 6 over, with many notables not within that line.
Of the leaders, The Bulk came out firing, reaching 8 under at 13 after a whirlwind birdie that including the reconstruction of Augusta’s famed signposting.
Max & Scottie also tied the overnight leader on 6 under in very different ways. Max had closed out his 1st round on Friday with finishing birdies and then produced another solid round of 71, whilst Scottie had a bounce-back day with birdies and bogeys aplenty.
In total we had 8 scores under par and a few others at Even, like AnotherCam who sits in the top 5 after stellar golf in only his 2nd visit to Augusta.
The lads on debut continued on their merry way with Hogie squeezed into the same top 5 and ÅBerg posting a round-of-the-day 69 and a top 10 position overnight.
Collin is one of 2 players who has 2 rounds under par this year, also bizarrely changed putters half way which helped him improve from Thursday to Friday.
36 of the last 37 Masters winners were inside the top 10 after 2 rounds. The last winner from outside the top 15 was Jack in ‘86 (“maybe? Yes, Sir”)! Over history, 92% of all winners were within 5 shots of the lead.
So that data takes us to the one under and a total of 14 golfers. Importantly, within that number is a lot of inexperience at contending at Augusta with only 2 green jackets amongst them. Will make for an interesting weekend.
Round of the Day
Best of the day belonged to debutant ÅBerg posting the only score in the 60s on Friday with 6 birdies and a final hole bogey.
This has him in the house in the top 10 and right in the mix for the weekend. Any run on the green jacket would be surreal and meteoric, but his guy seems to have the maturity thats required.
Shot of the Day
Scoring was super tough so great shots were tough to find. Rahmbo was facing a MC on 16 until he produced a monster, breaking putt to change his momentum and fortunes and earn him a weekend to chase!
Performance of the Day
The legend that is the Big Cat continues to add records to his name, this time the most cuts in a row, now standing at 24. Its astounding when you consider the list of MCs this year alone.
He limped up 18, to a standing ovation, nonchalantly got up and down (again!) and walked off with a Even par day. He might not be in the hunt statistically, but go ahead and tell him that he can’t contend. Good luck!
Again, for perspective, the Big Cat beat the following of golf’s best:
Hatton, BK, Cant(p)lay, Lowry, JDay, Jaco, Rory, The Phenom, JT, Wyndie, The Hov, Jordan.
Insane.
The Leaders
The Chasers
The Movers
It's Moving Day up ahead and the conditions are expected to be very tricky - gusty, but at least with some warmth. Its unknown whether it might favour an early starter, though it often does. Perhaps favour a wind expert like Tommy who is right in it, seeking a 1st major.
Keegan posted a strong 2nd round so could be due a run with an earlier start than the others.
But its green jackets that we are after so perennial Masters performers seeking a charge might be the likes of Fatty Feed, X & Conners who are within shouting distance of the top 3.
Taking the weekend off
The Cutline fell at 6 over in the end, moving by a shot drastically towards the end with many big names on the outside. JT, Wyndie, JRose, Im, The Hov, Harmie & Mr Burns.
Some of the former champs also missed out on the weekend action like Jordan, Sergio & DJ amongst others.
Thats now 2 MCs in a row at Augusta for both JT & Sergio. JT was even par for the week walking to the 15th tee (sitting in the top 15) and ending up with his MC. So many other stories on the MCs like the The Hov with this MELTDOWN.
Vijay & Ollie making the cut was very impressive, especially considering the severity of the weather!
Reminder of the Stats
Bucket 1: Scottie 45%, Rahmbo 16%, Rory 12% & X 12% (1 under par)
Bucket 2: Hideki 35%, Wyndie 20%, Jordan 10% & Tommy 8% (1 under par)
Bucket 3: OtherCam 18%, Lowry 15%, The Phenom 13% & Harmie 11% (1 under par)
Bucket 4: BK 30%, DJ 13%, Cambo 12% & Zala 10% (1 under par)
Some good picking from the punters in the top buckets!
Who do you fancy for your SUB PICKS?
For a full view of the scores head to Masters Leaderboard and majorpunter leaderboard.
majorpunter Leaderboard:
| Rank | Team | Punter | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Smitty from Ohio | Mark Smith | -16 |
| T2 | DegenParty | Haden Smith | -14 |
| T2 | Birdie Brigade | Kate Rodrigues | -14 |
| T2 | D-Rocks Jocks 1 | Derek Fink | -14 |
| T5 | Shadfather | Brent Shadix | -13 |
| T5 | Mulligators | Stuart Green | -13 |
| T7 | Pete | Pete Petersen | -12 |
| T7 | blokkies | Ross Harris | -12 |
| T9 | FJB | Taylor Bozel | -10 |
| T9 | Bucket | Christopher Watkins | -10 |
Day 2 was a cracker, its great to see conditions so hard and some real, creative talent come to the fore. Its hard to imagine we have another 36 still to go.
There were some good scores for the punters and plenty of scores under par on the LEADERBOARD.
Smitty from Ohio stole a march on the challengers, by sneaking into a 2 shot lead, heading into the weekend.
DegenParty, BirdieBrigade & D-Rocks Jocks 1 sit 2 shots back, after leading for much of the day.
Moving day will not be a normal scoring day, a grind lies ahead. Its still anyone’s major, much angst remains for the leaders so strap in. The chase is on.
majorpunter Bottomboard:
| Rank | Team | Punter | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 130 | Ollie and Thomas | Lilian East | +11 |
| T131 | Couples Therapy | James Bisset | +12 |
| T131 | Slick Willie Baroo | William Thompson | +12 |
| T133 | Gunslingers 2 | Pete Grey | +13 |
| T133 | Pimento Posse | Lindsey Hilner | +13 |
| T135 | Bradthig7 | Bradley Thigpen | +14 |
| T135 | PokeyAU3 | Preston Barnes | +14 |
| T137 | Marco's Masters Men | Marc Jury | +16 |
| T137 | Penny live @ Augusta | Jamo Sceales | +16 |
| 139 | Buddy dream team | Craig Fourie | +17 |
The bottomboard has plenty over par suddenly, a major shift from Thursday.
Buddy dream team had nightmares all around Augusta.
Penny live @ Augusta & Marco’s Masters Men also had struggles. But still many more ahead so expect the bottom to flip considerably still.
36 holes to go, Augusta will be an exciting place over the weekend for what remains, definitely more doubles than eagles but exciting nonetheless.
For more news and information head over to majorpunter.