Masters Notebook: Spieth is in the Mix

We’re halfway through the 2021 Masters, and a portion of the field has gone home due to missing the cut. With that in mind, it’s a good time to take stock of what’s happened so far and what we may be able to expect over the weekend.

Bryson Surges on Friday, Still Has Work to Do

Bryson DeChambeau was the pre-tournament favorite at many sportsbooks. The powerful U.S. Open winner was expected to contend right from the jump, but struggled Thursday with a four-over-par 76. DeChambeau, however, surged back into the top 20 with a second-round 67, but even after that performance, he’s sitting in a tie for 17th, six shots back of 36-hole leader Justin Rose.

Rose is in Full Bloom

Speaking of the leader at the halfway point, Rose fired a brilliant 65 on Thursday before grinding out an even-par round of 72 on Friday. The Brit finished second at this tournament in both 2015 and 2017, but has a major win to his credit (the 2013 U.S. Open) and maintained his lead despite stumbling to a three-over-par start through seven holes of his second round.

Spieth is in the Mix

Justin Spieth broke a long winless drought last week at the Texas Open, and the 2015 Masters winner has kept the good mojo going through two rounds at Augusta National. He followed up a Thursday 71 with a Friday 68, and he’s two behind Rose going into Saturday’s play.

Spieth is the only prior Masters winner currently under par at the 2021 tournament. Two-time Green Jacket recipient Bubba Watson is next-best at even par, while 2018 winner Patrick Reed sits at one-over.

Si Woo Kim Adapts Following Temper Tantrum

Golf is a humbling game, even for the best players in the world. Nowhere has that been more illustrated this week than on the 15th green, when Kim snapped his putter in half following a poor chip.

As a result, he had to putt with his 3-wood for the final three holes, but Kim still posted an impressive score of 69, and is just three shots behind Rose. Here’s hoping he’s got a second putter lying around somewhere!