Jon Rahm, from KO to miraculously saving tools on a tough 2nd day

Difficult and complicated second day of Masters at Augusta National because of the strong wind, with strong gusts, which for more than one was a real test. Read on Jon Rahm, the current champion, who lived through a nightmare, a wild field: three bogeys and a double bogey left him with 4 holes to go but in the end the Basque saved the tools with two birdies : 76 for 149 (+5), seduction yes to elimination. Finally the ‘cut’ is +6 and he’s in!Txema Olazabal!. And about the tournament leader, Bryson DeChambeau (73) He was forgiving on the final holes but held his own with a +1 and 138, co-leader in the clubhouse with Max Homa (71). He joined them at the end of the round Scottie Scheffler (72).

Such are the harsh conditions marked by the wind that Augusta National heals itself by not making the greens glassy because otherwise the balls keep moving. Just a dozen laps under par on the day and plenty of struggles for everyone. And 6 hours! on the course for golfers.

Jon Rahm missed the fairway on 1, went into the fairway bunker on 2 and on the 3rd hole he came back to three putts. Bad symptoms. Par on 4 and 5, and ‘triputteo’ again on 6. He had clear birdie options on 9 and 10 but no way for the ball to find the hole. Again, 3 putts from Barrika on 11 and third bogey after several minutes of waiting (there was a big wind block).

But the ordeal didn’t stop there: double bogey on the 14th hole with the ball in the middle of the exit fairway, second shot on the green, chip at 3 meters and the putt, touching the hole, went even further! , unbelievable !. Short return putt and the ‘6’ on the card. Another three putts. Rahm couldn’t believe it. What a comeback. It was a very difficult situation for the Basque, who stood at +6 overall, out of the tournament.

But the Biscayan reacted with a birdie on the 15th hole, last par 5. Restorative, yes. And what with golf, on the 16th he hit a massive ‘joint’ that made him pump his fist and smile; what is eaten for what is served. I’ve never made a putt and now this is it. More rest and comfort with +4 overall and two holes to play. However, he wanted to give it some ‘excitement’ on the 17th, again three putts! and suffer again with bogey-5 and +5 overall with 18 to go. He takes two good putts for ‘4’, 76 and 149. He will play the weekend and reach 18 consecutive ‘cuts’ at the Grand Slams.

Homa is participating in the Masters for the fifth time. He has five top-25 finishes worldwide in 2024, including 8th at the Arnold Palmer Invitational in Orlando in March. After starting his 2023 with a win in San Diego and recording top-three finishes in Maui and Los Angeles, he went on to close his PGA Tour season with five consecutive top-12s, including a 10th at the British Open , his best ending moment in the ‘big’.

The truth is that this Friday has everything and for everyone. Just when Scheffler seemed to have opened a small gap at the top of the table, three putts (the second was very short and included a ‘tie’) on hole 5 (he had clear birdie options on 1 and 3) came caused by the first doubts in the betting favorite. However, by the time he got through the 9th hole he was at par for the day after two birdies and two bogeys and the occasional compromising situation that was neatly resolved. On the 10th he made a birdie, putting himself in the temporary lead with -7 at the end of the 12th. The Texas player was always in control. But then he made a concession on the 13th hole by sending his second shot into the creek: bogey-6 and also -6. From there until finally everything stopped.

The first to put a result to be considered in the clubhouse was the American Max Homa, 71 strokes to 138 (-6). He waited until the result came from DeChambeau, US Open champion in 2020. By then, the Danish debutant had just finished Nicolai Hojgaardwith a total of 140 (-4) after signing 73 this Friday.

Along with 141 are the Americans Collin Morikawawinner of a British Open, and the Australian Cameron Daviswhile one of the debutants added another blow, the Swede Ludwig Aberg (69, best lap of the day, for 142).

The cut was taken by famous champions at Augusta, such as Jordan Spieth (+9) and Dustin Johnson (+13). Also in Justin Rose and Rickie Fowler, winner of Pair 3. On the other hand, the benefits are enormous Tiger Woods, who broke the record for consecutive cuts with 24. A par return for the five-time Augusta winner and everything to play for and compete on the weekend for Tiger’s battered physique. Satisfied with his performance, he must have spent a good amount of time at the physio to recover.

Sergio Garcia He fought as usual but the 2017 champion’s chain fell in the last part of the return leg, which seemed to forget: bogey-bogey-bogey-double bogey: 79 strokes (+7). The man from Castellón paid with his face.

Txema Olazabal, At 58 years old, he was making a movie when he stood on the tee of the 12th hole, the second of Amen Cornerpair 3 called Golden Bell, with -1 in the day and +4 in total, at that time within the cut. But after hitting the ball, the Basque wanted it to fly and fly, and he ignored it and ended up in the water: triple bogey-6. It seems to be goodbye to the weekend. Back from 73 to 150 (+6). But in the end, Hondarribia!, double champion here and in his 35th Masters, passed.

2nd day classification (players already in the clubhouse):

138 Bryson DeChambeau 65 73

Max Homa 67 71

Scottie Scheffler 66 72

140 Nicolai Hojgaard 67 73

141 Cameron Davis 69 72

Collin Morikawa 71 70

142 Ludwig Aberg 73 69

143 Tommy Fleetwood 72 71

Danny Willett 68 75

…

145 Tiger Woods 73 72

146 Brooks Koepka 73 73

148 Rory McIlroy (35th) 71 77

149 Jon Rahm (44th) 73 76

150 Txema Olazabal 77 73

151 Sergio Garcia 72 79