Big names fall to vicious Augusta

AUGUSTA • The famously fast and firm greens at Augusta National Golf Club were more perilous than ever on Friday during the second round of the Masters.

Dustin Johnson, last year's champion, struggled with his putting and, at five over after two days, failed to advance.

Rory McIlroy, who is looking for the title to complete a career Grand Slam, had a double bogey at No. 10 and also did not advance. His Major drought dates back to the 2014 Open Championship.

Four-time Major winner Brooks Koepka also faltered as did South Korea's Im Sung-jae, who finished joint-second here in November, when the event was postponed from April because of Covid-19.

Augusta played far differently back then, offering a soft course on which 43 golfers finished below par and Johnson won at 20 under, a tournament record.

As the field of 88 was reduced to 54 for the weekend, notable players who also failed to reach the three-over cut line included 2017 champion Sergio Garcia of Spain (four over), 2007 Masters winner Zach Johnson (seven over), last year's Singapore Open champion Matt Kuchar (four over) and England's Lee Westwood (five over).

The grounds have proved far more vicious this week but not that Augusta was concerned.

"We have the golf course where we want it," its chairman, Fred S. Ridley, said last week.

England's Justin Rose, who entered Friday with a four-stroke lead, remained top after an even-par 72 for a seven-under 137 total.

But his advantage narrowed to a single shot when he had three fewer birdies than in his opening round and doubled, to four, the number of bogeys.

Will Zalatoris (68) and Brian Harman (69) are at six under, while another shot back were 2015 Masters champion Jordan Spieth (68) and Australia's Marc Leishman (67).

"I think it was just a classic day at Augusta National when you're slightly off," Rose said. "You can be a foot or two out on certain occasions and you end up struggling."

The world No. 41 is prepared to do the heavy lifting it will take to give him a chance to wear the Green Jacket as he eyes his first Masters title following runner-up finishes in 2015 and 2017, when he fell in a play-off to Garcia.

"We know the winner... largely comes out of the final pairing on Sunday," he said. "I'd much rather kind of get up the lead as early as we can to try to hold that position going into Sunday."

However, Zalatoris, who is aiming to become the first person to win on his Masters debut since Fuzzy Zoeller in 1979, and Harman also feel they have a chance with some big names out.

"Some people shy away from that, but I'm excited to be here," said Zalatoris, who is on the PGA Tour this season through special temporary membership status.

"I've wanted to be here forever. There's no reason to feel intimidated now. I made it to here... that's something that every kid dreams of."

REUTERS, NYTIMES

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