Day 2 at the 2021 Masters

Posted on April 10, 2021 alt_text

Friday at The Masters What a difference a day makes, from the greens being burnt on Thursday to a Friday of green, soft, lush greens, that are receptive and eager to please. That’s Augusta. With their huge investment into underground conditioning systems and a labour force that makes the army look small - they can do it all and within 12 hours. Additionally the weather helped, last week was in the mid 50s with cold winds, this week has been in the mid 80s. So this all helps. Plus Friday, the Committee delivered some gettable pins which made scoring possible for the entire field. Worst score of the top 20 was 72 - by Rosie, who needed a bogey free 33 on the back 9 to do it. Therefore can he hold on? The Leaders Masters Leaderboard The first page of the leaderboard is brimming with hope and expectation. Rosie has been here so many times before at Augusta and will feel comfortable playing with little known WIll Zalatoris. Zala snuck into the last pairing after making birdies on 16, 17 and 18, so he should fancy this chance. No one can say enough about this young man and his rise to fame. But the big guns lurk further down: Jordan (30 from 36 GIR so far) is 2 back tied with Leish who has spent considerable time on the leaderboard this week already. He had a shocker back 9 on Thursday otherwise would be leading alone. He has opened each day with 33s and has 10 birdies already over 2 days. Then there is favourite, JT, just 3 back. JT was left moaning about a 3-putt on 18 from nowhere. He is tied with Si Woo Kim who is so demanding of himself that he broke his putter yesterday on 15 and putted with his 3 wood instead. Si Woo did make 4 pars coming home, so thats better than world #1 DJ (who made 3 bogeys coming home to get the MC) - so not too bad for Si Woo. Certainly better than his hand shaking! Stats don’t lie and its traditionally hard to come from nowhere and win. Players who have been in the top 10 after day 1 and day 2 is a short list and these are the most likely to get the win: Rosie, Zala, Harman, Hideki, Si Woo and Spieth might all be worth the flutter. The Chasers Masters Leaderboard The chasing pack were all under par on Friday and 1 of these will need a hot start. Hideki had a miserable front 9 - perhaps he can keep his hot back 9 going. Otherwise, its the birdie machine Hovland who is fearless and in the mix despite starting day 1 with a nasty triple bogey. The weather will play its part too with a small chance of rain, but more importantly some wind predicted for Saturday afternoon. Masters Weather Forecast Round of the Day The Human Phenom and Bernd got themselves right into contention with brilliant 66s. The Phenom will complain he left 1 out there on 18 with a very soft effort that will have his legion of fans worried for the putter on the weekend. Bernd in contrast blitzed the front 9 with his putter. He was in revenge mode after he putted into the water on day 1. His image from day 1 became the most shared item on whatsapp and social media - with everyone aghast at how a pro and weekend hack can do that. Shot of the Day Cam Smith dazzled fans in 2020 with his T2 and you can see he just loves Augusta. The Aussie was hot yesterday, nearly holing out for Albatross on 13, before tapping in for eagle. He was briefly 7 under for the day, before the emotion got too much for him, closing with a wet, double bogey on 15. Watch him on Moving Day. There were tons of other eagles and birdies on a day when scoring was the name of the game, with some long rakers to boot. The Movers Its Moving Day up ahead and making the early move and into contention on Friday was a must for those with a hope of the win. JT was that man and he will be planning to keep going. But what about those on the peripheral? Xander has been on the wrong side of the draw and sits 3 under only 4 back. Hovland is also lurking having the hot finish of 5 under over the closing 6 holes on Friday. Taking the weekend off Don’t lie - we all like a weekend to relax and chill, but this reminds me of a fax roll - with fallen champions lying destroyed. DJ (the old Masters fate of being # 1), Rors, Sergio, BK, Cantlay, Berger and Westie. Some of the most favoured players on majorpunter, don’t make the weekend! Worst still - they left the scoring in tatters. All those hours of well prepared reviews and analysis - all wasted. Reminder of the Stats: Bucket 1: JT 37%, DJ 16% GONE, Rahmbo 12%, Bulk 10% & Rors 6% GONE. Bucket 2: Jordan 31%, Westie 10% GONE, King Louis 9%, Casey 9% & Fleetwood 7%. Bucket 3: Rosie 12%, Connors 10%, Bubba 9%, JDay 9% GONE & Frittelli 7% GONE. Some are now missing for the weekend! Masters Punter headaches Who do you fancy for your SUB PICKS? The top 50 players (and ties) made the cut and the early starters will be hopeful of a chance at redemption. The conditions will be definitely easier for them. Perhaps there could be move from King Louis, Ancer, Fleetwood, The Bulk, Bubba or Horschel who all shot under par yesterday. Sneaky option also out there for world # 3 Rahmbo - who might have found some form after his lack of prep. For a full view of the scores head to the Masters Leaderboard and to the majorpunter Leaderboard. majorpunter Leaderboard: