Tiger Woods achieved another unprecedented feat on the Augusta National course on Friday by avoiding the cut at the Masters Tournament for a 24e times in a row.
Of course, his eyes are set on a much bigger goal: obtaining a sixth Green Jacket, which would allow him to equal another record.
In the meantime, Woods now exclusively holds the mark for the most consecutive qualifications to the last two rounds of the Masters Tournament.
Until Friday, he shared this mark of 23 with South African Gary Player, whose streak began in 1959, and American Fred Couples, who saw his streak end in 2007.
“That means I have a chance going into the weekend,” said Woods, whose round of 72 — even par — gave him a score of 145, one shot over par. , after 36 holes.
Woods shares 22e rank with the American Eric Cole, seven shots behind the trio of leaders, made up of his compatriots Max Homa (71), Bryson DeChambeau (73) and Scottie Scheffler (72).
” I am here. I have a chance to win the golf tournament. I don’t know if they’ll all finish today, but I’m done. I completed my two rounds. I just need a little food and a little caffeine, and I’ll be set. »
It was a trying day for the five-time Masters Tournament winner, especially as the 48-year-old golfer suffered numerous injuries, countless surgeries and a devastating car accident that nearly cost him his right leg.
Woods was back on the course before sunrise to finish the final five holes of his opening round, cut short by darkness after thunderstorms Thursday morning delayed the start of the tournament by two and a half hours.
He made two bogeys to finish his round with a score of 73, then had less than an hour to rest for a new round of 18 holes.
Remarkably, on Friday he played just one hole less than his competitive total for the first three months of the year, because his patched-up body is no longer able to handle a regular tournament schedule.
Even with such limited preparation, there is something about Augusta National that still brings out the best in Woods.
” Yes, I’m tired. I’ve been competing and working hard for a while. The 23 holes were long, the day was long,” he conceded. “But Lance [Bennett, son cadet] and I fought well today and we have a chance. »
With the crowd around the 18e noisy green as if it were a Sunday, Woods dropped his steely gaze and revealed a huge smile as soon as he concluded his second round.
He hugged his playing partner Jason Day, then Bennett before beginning a triumphant march towards the chalet, surrounded by spectators who applauded his efforts.
“It was beautiful,” said Homa, who completed the trio with Woods and Day.
“It’s really a dream to be able to play with him here. I always wanted to watch him hit iron shots here, and I was right next to him. It was really great. His short game was so good. »
Homa was in contention, just a shot off the lead when he finished, but he was happy to cede the spotlight to Woods.
“He’s special,” Homa said. “We had to get back on the course very quickly, and if I was feeling tired and out of sorts, I can imagine he was feeling even worse. »
Know the terrain
Woods had to make all kinds of efforts to compensate for missed approach shots in succession. But his play around the greens and on the putting surface helped him stay comfortably above the line, projected at plus 4 by the time he completed his second round.
“I had to rely on my short game a few times today, and the only reason I was successful was because I almost always hit the ball in the perfect spot. The key is understanding how to play this course. »
Woods had a stretch of six holes on the front nine where he only recorded birdies or bogeys. However, he recovered a little on the last nine holes with only one bogey at 14e — where his 150-yard approach flew into the gallery behind the green — and a birdie at 15ea par 5, helped by two cannon shots which allowed him to fly over the pond.
Woods, of course, still thinks he has a chance to tie Jack Nicklaus’ record of six Green Jackets.
“I’m in the race,” he said. “I don’t think anyone is going to break away right now because it’s very bunched up on the leader board. From the way the ball moves on the greens and the approach shots are swept, it’s everything you could want on a golf course. »