World number one Scottie Scheffler leads the 2022 Masters by five strokes after a scorching round of 67 comprised of seven birdies to just two bogeys.
Scheffler, 25, had yet to capture his first victory on the PGA Tour just two months ago. He won the Waste Management Phoenix Open in February and followed it up with wins at the Arnold Palmer Invitational and held off Aiken, S.C. native Kevin Kisner in the WGC Match Play event in his home state of Texas in March.
Scheffler was as measured and precise as ever on Friday, with the calm demeanor and poise of some of the all-time greats. If Hideki Matsuyama were to drape the Green Jacket on Scheffler this Sunday, marking four wins out his last seven events, it would be one of the most incredible runs in the history of golf.
However, it is said that the Masters doesn’t really start until the back nine on Sunday, and windy conditions throughout the weekend should make for plenty more leaderboard-shuffling over the final two days of play. Don’t print those Monday editions quite heralding Scheffler quite yet.
Tiger Woods recovered from a wobbly four-over front nine with birdies on 10, 13 and 14 to card a two-over round on 71. He is well within the cut-line heading into the weekend, guaranteeing two more days of huge crowds following the five-time champion step-by-step.
Woods didn’t shoot as good a score on Friday, but the more difficult conditions made every birdie like gold on this day. Keeping the tougher scoring conditions in mind puts his round of 74 in perspective as he sits within the top 20 headed into Saturday. He had a few more close calls on the putting surface that could’ve improved his day, but the greens maddened everyone on Friday… except Scottie Scheffler, of course.
Joaquin Niemann, three-under through two rounds, played smart golf on Friday and limited mistakes in blustery conditions. Niemann handled the hype of playing alongside Tiger on his own after Louis Oosthuizen withdrew due to injury prior to the second round.
Former Masters champions Hideki Matsyuama (-3), Charl Schwartzel (-3) and Dustin Johnson (-2) will all be part of the pack chasing the young Texan on Saturday. Experience at Augusta popping up yet again.
Jordan Spieth, Brooks Koepka and Xander Schauffele were among the notable names that missed the cut this year and will have to wait for 2023 for another chance at the Green Jacket.
Woods will tee it up with Kisner at 1 p.m. Saturday while Scheffler and Schwartzel bring up the rear at 2:50 p.m.
