From pgatour.com
Korea’s Si Woo Kim stayed in contention after two days of the Masters Tournament despite putting with a three wood over his final four holes en route to a 3-under 69 in the second round on Friday.
The 25-year-old damaged his putter on the 15th hole after three-putting the previous hole for his lone bogey of the round and then hitting a poor chip.
Four birdies on his card at Augusta National though took Kim into the weekend rounds just three back of leader Justin Rose.
The Korean was in a share of sixth place, with amongst others Hideki Matsuyama of Japan, who fought to a 71 to lie on 4-under 140.
“I was lucky … the last few holes, I only had a birdie putt, so no pressure to make it,” said Kim of his adjustment on the greens.
“Just frustration, like 14 (bogey), 15 chip. That’s not on purpose, but it was broken.”
A three-time PGA Tour winner, Kim came close on the par-3 16th hole but missed his birdie attempt from 13 feet before getting home safely with two more pars.
As his putter was damaged during course of play, he could not replace it immediately but will be able to put in a new putter before the third round where he will play alongside Cameron Champ.
New burden
With last year’s joint runner-up Sungjae Im (77-80) missing the cut, Kim now carries Korea’s hopes in seeking t become the first Asian to win the Masters title and the green jacket.
Countryman K.J. Choi was third in 2004.
Kim’s driving was impeccable as he missed only one fairway and hit 13 greens in regulation.
His four birdies were from inside of eight feet, and he missed an eagle attempt on the par-5 13th hole from 11 feet.
Matsuyama, who holds two top-10s at Augusta National, made an eagle on 13 when he brilliantly holed out from off the green.
He had two further birdies on nine and 15 against three bogeys. This is the second straight year he is entering the third round in T6.
“It was quite different from yesterday’s conditions, but all in all, I played well again and happy with my round,” said the 29-year-old, who has five Tour wins.
“It was a bit lucky (on 13), but happy it went in. I like my position, but I’ve got to keep working, and hopefully tomorrow I’ll be in the same position or even better.”
Matsuyama is keen to emulate fellow Japanese, Tsubasa Kajitani who won the Augusta National Women’s Amateur last Sunday. His best finish at the Masters was a fifth in 2015.
Chinese Taipei’s C.T. Pan, shared seventh last November, added a 71 to his opening 79 to miss the halfway cut which was set at 147.
Missing out
Other top names to miss out included defending champion Dustin Johnson (74-75) Lee Westwood (78-71) and Brooks Koepka (74-75).
In all,54 professionals made the cut at 3-over 147 from a field of 85 professionals and three amateurs.
Rose will be attempting to become the first wire-to-wire winner at the Masters since Spieth back in 2015.
Zalatoris is well placed to become first player to win on Masters debut since 1979, while Spieth is in the top-4 at the midway point of the Masters for the fifth time.
Big-hitter Bryson DeChambeau made a nine-stroke turnaround from round one to jump to T17 with a 5-under 67 on Friday.
Other big names making the cut were past champions Phil Mickelson and Adam Scott.
Missing out besides Dustin Johnson and Koepka were Sergio Garcia, Rory McIlroy and Jason Day.
Leaderboard (top-5)
Justin Rose 65-72, 137 (-7)
Will Zalatoris 70-68, 138 (-6) and Brian Harman 69-69, 138 (-6)
Marc Leishman 72-67, 139 (-5) and Jordan Spieth 71-68, 139 (-5).
Also read: Flying the Asian flag at Masters 2021; and it’s live on Star Sports
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