Bryson DeChambeau, Max Homa and Scottie Scheffler weathered a wild, windy day seldom seen at Augusta Nationwide to share the Masters second spherical lead on Friday, whereas Tiger Woods focused a sixth Inexperienced Jacket after claiming one other main file.
First spherical chief DeChambeau had appeared poised to spend one other evening alone atop the leaderboard till a bogey on the 18th left the 2020 U.S. Open champion with a one-over 73 and a two-day complete of six-under 138.
Scheffler additionally had an opportunity to take solo possession of the highest spot, the world primary cruising together with a one-shot lead till operating into bother the place so many have at par 5 thirteenth.
Touchdown his strategy in Rae’s Creek, Scheffler did nicely to flee with bogey, then enjoying error free to the end signing for an excellent par 72.
Homa, who had by no means damaged 70 at Augusta till wrapping up his weather-delayed first spherical on Friday morning with a five-under 67, was shortly again out on the course and on the transfer with birdies on the second and fourth.
From there the 33-year-old American went into full harm management mode, carding 13 pars and a single bogey to fortunately signal for a one-under-71 as gusting winds and firming situations restricted scoring possibilities.
Masters debutant Nicolai Hojgaard of Denmark continued to show nerves of metal, battling to a one-over 73 to take a seat alone in fourth at four-under with Australian Cam Davis (72) and Collin Morikawa (70) one additional again.
Solely eight gamers managed to interrupt par on a sun-kissed day of devilish winds that the majority mentioned that they had by no means skilled earlier than at Augusta Nationwide.
At instances golfers seemed to be enjoying in a sandstorm, the wind whipping up clouds of sand from the bunkers.
“It was extraordinarily difficult,” mentioned Scheffler. “The winds had been up very excessive, and it blows from all over the place out right here.
“I couldn’t actually describe how windy it’s and the way tough the gusts are simply because I feel it’s important to be on the market and expertise it.”
As all the time the highlight was on Woods as he scrapped his strategy to an excellent par 72, securing him a file twenty fourth consecutive made reduce at Augusta Nationwide.
The 15-time main winner has made a profession of proving doubters fallacious and did so once more behind a efficiency of pure grit, grinding out a halfway complete of one-over 145 to simply clear the six-over reduce line.
Woods has an extended record of magical Masters moments and conjured up another on Friday, after which instantly set a brand new goal – a record-equalling sixth Inexperienced Jacket.
“I’m within the ball recreation,” mentioned Woods. “I’ve an opportunity going into the weekend. I’m right here.
“I’ve an opportunity to win the golf event.”
The 48-year-old arrived on the yr’s first main going through a problem that was sure to check his will and injury-battered physique, the newest ankle surgical procedure final April. Coming into Augusta, Woods had performed simply 24 holes this yr and needed to play practically as many on a marathon Friday that started with finishing the final 5 holes of his weather-delayed opening spherical for a one-over 73, adopted instantly by one other 18.
Below sensible blue skies, Woods was clearly up for the struggle and he blended 4 birdies with the identical variety of bogeys by way of a rollercoaster spherical.
Rory McIlroy’s bid to finish the profession Grand Slam stays alive however simply barely after the Northern Irishman laboured to a five-over 77 that didn’t embrace a single birdie.
The world quantity two completed with a two-day complete of four-over to sneak in below the six-over reduce however was not able to wave the white flag even when an enormous 10 again of the lead.
“I gained from 10 again in Dubai initially of the yr,” mentioned McIlroy. “I nonetheless assume I can exit tomorrow and shoot a low one, get again into purple numbers, and have half an opportunity going into Sunday.”
Jon Rahm was not fairly as optimistic at a profitable defence of this Masters crown after the Spaniard returned a 76 to go away him trailing by 11 strokes.
“It’s about as exhausting a golf course as I’ve seen in a really very long time,” mentioned Rahm. “Hopefully I can simply make up some floor tomorrow.”
Some high-profile names had been headed house early from the yr’s first main.
Former Masters champions Dustin Johnson, Jordan Spieth, and Sergio Garcia had been among the many casualties, as had been reigning U.S. Open champion Wyndham Clark and 2023 British Open winner Brian Harman.