From a Correspondent
Augusta, Georgia: For weeks, Hideki Matsuyama was a doubtful starter for his Masters title defence at the year’s first major.
The Japanese superstar’s never-say-die attitude, however, has now put him in the hunt for potentially more golf history at Augusta National.
On a brutal Friday made trickier by swirly and gusting winds, Japan’s first major champion fired a gutsy 3-under 69 to share second place with three others.
Only 13 players broke par during the second round as world no. 1 Scottie Scheffler seized control with a stellar 67, five shots up the road from his closest pursuers.
Scheffler, winner of his last five PGA Tour tournaments, became the sixth player to hold a five-shot lead through 36 holes in Masters history with his 8-under 136 total.
First round leader Sungjae Im of Korea slipped back after a 74 to be bunched on 141 with Matsuyama, Charl Schwartzel of South Africa (69) and Shane Lowry of Ireland (68).
Comeback continues
For his part, Tiger Woods maintained his fairy-tale comeback from a serious leg injury following a 74 to stand on 145 in tied 19th.
Only three golfers – Woods (2001, 2002), Nick Faldo (1989, 1990) and Jack Nicklaus (1965, 1966) – have successfully defended their titles in Masters folklore.
It was the 22nd straight time Tiger has made the cut at Augusta National sicne he first played there 25 years ago.
Matsuyama has shown tremendous fighting spirit, first by overcoming lingering injury woes, and then producing some wonderful golf to raise Asia’s hopes at Augusta once more.
Following an opening 72 on Thursday, he used a hot start with three birdies over his first six holes to haul himself into contention.
The 30-year-old, who became Asia’s second male major champion 12 months ago, missed several opportunities to go even lower, lipping out on the eighth and missing makeable opportunities in his closing two holes.
Whenever he got into trouble, the eight-time PGA Tour winner showed some deft touches to make par saves on 12, 13 and 14 following a combination of missed greens and an errant shot into Rae’s Creek at the par-5 13th hole.
Morale-booster
“I think I played well. Justin (Thomas), who I was playing alongside, easily shot 5-under and he gave me a boost which resulted in my good performance,” said Matsuyama.
“My goal is to play good golf. But it’s easier said than done. I will make sure to prepare myself well (for the weekend).”
Two-time PGA Tour winner, Im remained in the hunt for a first major victory following three birdies against five bogeys.
“I had a few sneak peeks at the leaderboard,” said Im, who was runner-up in his Masters debut in November 2020.
“The weather was very fluctuating … the wind direction and everything was very confusing.
“When I was trying to decide on hitting shots, some of the headwind made the iron selection difficult and things didn’t go well. But we still have two more days to go.”
Thirteen years after countryman Y.E. Yang became Asia’s first major winner at the 2009 PGA Championship, the 24-year-old has big dreams of joining the exclusive major club.
Basic mantra
He also acknowledged he needed to stick closely to golf’s mantra of taking it “one shot at a time”.
“I mean at this moment, I still have some golf to play and if I continue to focus on my game and just hit shot after shot, round after round, I think it’ll come to good results,” said Im.
“If I win a major championship, it’ll certainly have a huge impact in a variety of ways but for junior golfers looking up to me and wanting to having dreams to come out to play here, it’ll definitely have a positive impact.”
At the top, the in-form Scheffler opened up a solid lead riding on seven birdies against two dropped shots.
“Once I saw that I took the lead at one point today, my first thought was to just keep trying to build it, just because I feel like I’m playing well,” Scheffler said, (courtesy pgatour,com)
Also read: Korea’s Im in the van as Tiger mania descends on Augusta National
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