GOLF – Tiger Woods claimed more history at Augusta National yesterday, making the cut for a record 24th consecutive time.
Of course, his sights were fixated on a far greater goal – a record-tying sixth green jacket.
Woods broke the cut record he shared with three-time champion Gary Player, who advanced to the weekend 23 straight times beginning in 1959, and 1992 winner Fred Couples, whose own streak lasted until 2007.
“It means I have a chance going into the weekend,” said Woods, whose even-par 72 left him 1 over through 36 holes. “I’m here. I have a chance to win the golf tournament. I don’t know if they’re all going to finish today, but I’m done. I got my two rounds in. Just need some food and some caffeine, and I’ll be good to go.”
It was a gruelling day for the five-time Masters champion, even more so considering the 48-year-old has endured numerous injuries, countless surgeries and a devastating car wreck that nearly cost him his right leg.
Woods was back at the course before sunrise to finish up the final five holes of his opening round, which was cut short by darkness after storms Thursday morning delayed the start of the tournament by 2 1/2 hours.
He made a couple of bogeys to complete a 73, then had less than an hour to rest up for another 18 holes.
With the wind howling again at Augusta National, Woods had to do all sorts of scrambling to compensate for one wayward approach shot after another. But he kept pulling off nifty chips and clutch putts to keep his score safely above the cut line, which was projected at 4 over when he finished his round.
Woods went through a stretch of six straight holes before the turn where he made nothing but birdies or bogeys, but he settled things a bit on the back nine with a single bogey at the 14th – where his approach from 150 yards sailed into the gallery behind the green – and a two-putt birdie at the par-5 15th after clearing the pond with two booming shots.
Earlier, Max Homa drained two quick birdies then held on to take the second round clubhouse lead.
Homa, who had never broken 70 at Augusta until wrapping up his weather delayed first round yesterday morning with a five-under 67, was quickly back out on the course and on the move with birdies at the second and fourth.
From there the 33-year-old American went into full damage control mode, carding 13 pars and a single bogey to happily sign for a one-under-71 as gusting winds and firming conditions limited scoring chances.
Homa’s six-under two day total is under threat from LIV Golf powerhouse Bryson DeChambeau, who muscled his way through Amen Corner with birdies at 12 and 13 before taking a bogey at 14 to get to seven-under with four to play.
DeChambeau had set the early target on Thursday, carding his best ever Masters round of seven-under 65 but was unable to find any momentum until making the turn.
Homa has six wins on the PGA Tour but has never been able to produce anywhere near his best at the majors.
In four visits to Augusta he has missed the cut twice and his best finish a tie for 43rd last year.
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