Masters packed with star power atop leaderboard heading into weekend
AUGUSTA — Oh, what a weekend the golf gods have gifted us at the 89th Masters.
The only way the leaderboard through 36 holes could be more delicious would be if Tiger Woods was 10 years younger with his left Achilles tendon intact.
Justin Rose, at age 44 and in pursuit of a second career major championship 12 years removed from his first one, retained the lead he took in Thursday’s opening round at 8-under after shooting 71 Friday.
Bryson DeChambeau, the reigning U.S. Open champion and YouTube golf superstar, is one shot back at 7-under after carding a 4-under 68.
Rory McIlroy, on the chase for the career Grand Slam, made a furious second-round rally after a demoralizing finish to his first round, and is two shots off the lead after shooting 66 to get to 6-under.
Scottie Scheffler, the defending champion and winner of two of the past three, is 5-under and three shots back after shooting 71 in his pursuit to join Jack Nicklaus as the only players to win three of four.
Shane Lowery, the 2019 British Open champion at Portrush, where the Open will be played in July, is also 5-under and three shots back, along with Korn Ferry Player of the Year Matt McCarty and LIV Golf member Tyrrell Hatton.
Well, in the mix entering Saturday are Jason Day and Viktor Hovland at 4-under, and 21-year-old star in the making Ludvig Åberg, who’s 3-under, along with two-time major winner Collin Morikawa and former Masters winners Hideki Matsuyama and Patrick Reed.
The leaderboard is packed with star power. Eight players are within three shots of the lead, and most of them are among the game’s best.
“The leaderboard is stacking up very favorably for what looks like world-class players right up there,’’ Rose said. “So, you’re going to have to play great golf, and you’re going to have to go out there and want it and go for it and get after it. It’s as simple as that, really.’’
Rose, who won the 2013 U.S. Open, called the class, quality and star power around him on the leaderboard “the company that I expect to keep.’’
“That’s where I have tried to be my whole career,’’ he said. “That’s where I’ve been for a lot of my career. I’ve been a top-10 player in the world for a decade or more. So yeah, this is nice to be back in that mix, 100 percent.’’
Fred Couples, the 65-year-old 1992 Masters winner who missed the cut playing in his 40th Masters this week, handicapped the leaderboard after his round was over.
“The guy to watch is DeChambeau,’’ Couples said. “DeChambeau, if [the wind] is not blowing, I think he’s going to make 13 birdies the next two days. Then Rory. Look at what Rory did today. Everyone was picking on him after a couple doubles [in Thursday’s round]. It’s fun to watch.
“Scheffler has been battling, and Tyrrell Hatton, and I don’t know McCarty very well, but that’s what I enjoy.’’
Scheffler lamented about “too many mistakes on the back nine,’’ adding, “Overall, I did enough to stay in the tournament. Three shots back going into the weekend, hopefully I’ll clean up the card a little bit tomorrow.
“Golf is a funny game. It’s a day-to-day thing. Yesterday, I felt really sharp. Today, not as sharp.’’
Max Homa, who played with Rose the first two days, marveled at his play.
“It was great,’’ Homa said. “When you think about really rounded golf, that’s what it was. He obviously hit a ton of great shots. He made a lot of putts the last couple days. When he was out of position, he had some really hard pitches and made them look very easy.
“It was total-package type golf for two days. He was very consistent through the bag.’’
Day raved about the stacked board.
“Rory’s trying to finish that Grand Slam that he’s been trying to get for a long time,’’ he said. “Scottie is Scottie. I feel like that guy is always in contention no matter what he does. He always gives himself the opportunities. Doesn’t get too high or low. It seems like he’s always somewhere around the lead.
“For me, I’m kind of under the radar, which is nice. I feel like sitting at T-9 is good going into the weekend. I just keep my head down and keep pushing.’’
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