Major moves needed at the Masters

AUGUSTA, Ga. – Golf is often like a heavyweight title fight – you need to hang in there early and still be around to throw the haymakers late. At the 81st Masters, the opening two rounds have been dominated by Mother Nature – most notably wind gusts of up to 30 mph wreaking havoc on ball flight, putting lines and of course the potentially fragile psyche of those in the field when results don’t match the effort. It has meant those in the field have had to wear more punches than usual. Taking gut punches like Adam Scott’s ball blowing away from the hole before he could putt from 3 feet. Or uppercuts like Rory McIlroy’s approach on No. 18 on Friday that ricocheted off the flag and off the green. And near-knockouts like Jordan Spieth’s quadruple-bogey 9 on the 15th in Round 1, when the club didn’t match the gust. But those who survived can now regroup in their corner and come out swinging this weekend as conditions are set to get much milder. The winds won’t break 8 mph, and the sun and some warmth is due as temperatures reach the mid- to high 70s. The expected reprieve has players forgetting the grind and now gunning for the green lights and birdie chances this temptress of a course can throw at you. There are 15 players within five shots of the lead, and nine of them have won either a major or THE PLAYERS Championship. Seven of them rank in the top 15 of the Official World Golf Ranking. Four of them have won the green jacket. McIlroy, who is chasing a career Grand Slam, is one of them sitting five back. The forecast has him targeting a Saturday birdie blast. He says the aim will be “mid-60s”. While so far he’s been in defense mode, now it’s time to attack. “With the benign conditions, hopefully, I can try to make some more birdies,” the FedExCup champion said. “It’s just all been about getting yourself in position but I feel like I need something in the 60s tomorrow at least to get myself in there. “Obviously, it’s easier said than done around this golf course, but when you take advantage of the par‑5s, pick up a few others, there’s something in the mid-60s, and it would be great score to go into Sunday with.” Phil Mickelson will start four off the pace as he searches for a fourth Masters title and first win since the 2013 Open Championship. Usually a swashbuckling birdie chaser, Mickelson admitted he was focused on just finding ways to make par, and if birdie chances came he tried to pounce. Come the weekend he will return to his aggressive self, and he hopes without the wind messing with his putting stroke the outlook is certainly sunny. “I’m very optimistic I’m going to make a good run,” Mickelson said of his chances. “I struggled with the putter today. And a lot of it was wind‑based. The wind is having more of an effect than the break is. “Hopefully with calm conditions I’ll get that thing dialed in tomorrow because I’ve been putting really well. And if I can have a good putting weekend, I’m going to have a good chance.” Thomas Pieters, who is joined in the lead at 4-under by Sergio Garcia, Charley Hoffman and Rickie Fowler, admitted to being tired through 36 holes. After Round 1, he got home and “passed out” almost immediately. The Masters rookie expected more of the same Friday night, but having made it to 5-under on Thursday before falling back to even-par, his second-round 68 had his spirits soaring. The biggest smile was reserved for his take on the changing conditions. “My coach told me to please have patience this week, so I’m trying my hardest,” he said. “But I’m looking forward to (the easier conditions) a lot. Hopefully you can hit some straightforward golf shots … and make a bit more birdies.” William McGirt (-2), Ryan Moore (-1), Jon Rahm (-1), Fred Couples (-1), Justin Rose (-1), Scott (Even), Soren Kjeldsen (+1) and Matt Kuchar (+1) are others excited for the third-round bell to ring. And then there is Spieth. The man who was on the ropes with his quadruple bogey on Thursday but now sits just four back. He admitted to having “chills” just thinking about being in the mix after starting the second round 10 shots off the pace. But he knows better than most that you can’t get carried away with the quest for birdies. The par-3 12th hit him with a knockout blow last year when it appeared he was cruising to a second title. This time he expects the need to work the body, so to speak, as while the weather will get better, the course could actually get harder. “I think these greens are going to bake out … you’re going to see putting become a lot more difficult than it was, even though it was windy,” he explained. “I think the actual putts you have are going to be more challenging, because the greens are going to be a foot faster and they’re going to get a bit crusty around some of the hole locations.” While we don’t yet know which fighting style will prevail over the weekend, it is sure going to be fun to watch.

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