Jordan Spieth flirts with cut, but Friday 68 gets him into weekend at the Masters
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AUGUSTA, GEORGIA - APRIL 12: Jordan Spieth of the United States plays a shot on the 18th hole during the second round of the Masters at Augusta National Golf Club on April 12, 2019 in Augusta, Georgia. (Photo by Andrew Redington/Getty Images)
Due to his dominance at Augusta in recent years, admits he didn't know the cut rule
AUGUSTA, Ga. – Not once in his five Masters appearances had missing the cut crossed Jordan Spieth’s mind. Not until he finished his first hole Friday.
A bogey dropped Spieth to 4 over par, matching the most over par he had ever been at Augusta National. Through all of Spieth’s struggles this year, there was always optimism that Augusta’s magic would be enough to snap him out of his slump. Missing the cut would have marked rock bottom in a season where he has yet to finish in the top 25 of a stroke-play event. The 2015 FedExCup champion is 170th in this season’s standings.
He’s been chasing green jackets, not the cut line, in his brief Masters career. On Friday, he had to ask his caddie to clarify the Masters cut rule. “I've never been anywhere near it,” Spieth said.
He didn’t have to worry for long. He quickly turned things around, starting with a birdie at No. 2. Then he birdied 9 and 10 and added two more at 13 and 14. He was bogey-free over his final 17 holes. He hit 13 greens and 10 fairways Friday, three more than the previous day.
“My pars were more stress‑free and I was able to have a lot more looks at birdie,” he said. “Overall my putting performance still hasn't been quite as good as it's been in previous weeks, but I know how it can. The hole can look kind of big out here sometimes and hoping for that on the weekend.”
Spieth is six shots off the lead, the largest deficit he’s ever faced halfway through the Masters.
“I feel really good about today's round,” Spieth said. “I'm six back, if I can somehow cut it to three by Sunday, then I feel like I have a legitimate chance.”
Sean Martin manages PGATOUR.COM’s staff of writers as the Lead, Editorial. He covered all levels of competitive golf at Golfweek Magazine for seven years, including tournaments on four continents, before coming to the PGA TOUR in 2013. Follow Sean Martin on Twitter.