Fowler, Hoffman edge ahead at sun-drenched Masters

He started with three straight birdies and erased his six-stroke deficit to Hoffman by the turn.

Charley Hoffman’s big lead in the Masters Tournament is gone.

“My coach (Pete Cowen) has told me to please have a lot of patience this week so I’m trying my hardest”, he said.

Sergio Garcia, of Spain, reacts to a shot on the 15th hole during the second round of the Masters golf tournament Friday, April 7, 2017, in Augusta, Ga.

“I recognize on this course that you usually don’t need as low as you think”.

“I’m happy with how I’ve finished”. He’s going to feel great about his chances tomorrow.

Pieters acknowledged he’s had to remind himself often to be patient since losing one’s cool and focus at Augusta is the fastest way to fall off the pace.

Despite his disappointment at a closing birdie five at the 18th, the Irishman feels he can bridge the gap to the leaders and launch his drive for a green jacket. Fowler struggled to hit fairways and greens, but he made a number of pressure putts to finish the day at 5 under.

After 2 rounds, Day is at 6-over 150, tied for 45th place with 8 others. “This is one I want to make a regular stop”.

Sergio Garcia, who many consider to be the best player never to have won a Major championship, joined Hoffman at three-under at the halfway stage yesterday after briefly moving into the outright lead during the afternoon. Rose was tied with McGirt until a bogey on 18. Not to be overlooked was Thomas Pieters of Belgium, a real threat to become the first Masters rookie since 1979 to leave with a green jacket. He started the day seven shots out of the lead, but he didn’t enter Friday’s round with a target score in mind.

But as they say, sometimes it is better to be lucky than good. He slightly reduced the damage on 13 with a birdie and attempted to make his way back inside the projected cut-line. He’s looking forward to chasing rather than being chased.

He said closing out a four-shout lead to win the US PGA Tour’s Honda Classic in February has him in good stead for a Masters charge.

“It’s mentally so tiring when you’re in the wind all day”, he said.

William McGirt had 73 and is two shots off the lead.

Among those missing the cut were two-time Masters victor Bubba Watson and British Open champion Henrik Stenson.

Three-time Masters champion Phil Mickelson, 2013 Masters champion Adam Scott and 2015 champion Jordan Spieth are the only players at even-par 144.

Rory McIlroy heads up the group at 1 over.

Three late bogeys curbed the rally of two-time Green Jacket victor Phil Mickelson, who carded a 73 and is just four behind the lead quartet.

A pack on three-under included 2013 Masters victor Adam Scott of Australia, 2013 US Open victor Justin Rose of England, Americans Rickie Fowler and Ryan Moore and Belgium’s Thomas Pieters.

“I was frustrated (in 2012) but I probably didn’t accept things as well as I should have”, he said.

“This weekend is going to be definitely a lot of different golf. there are going to be a lot more birdies, some more eagles”, predicted Fowler.

Kyle Dawson covers sports for the Aiken Standard.