Smith’s brutal day as hot Scheffler takes control
WITHOUT a PGA Tour win to his name only two months ago, American world No.1 Scottie Scheffler is running away at the US Masters.
Defying “brutal” conditions at Augusta, Scheffler fired seven birdies for a second-round 67 – five shots clear of the chasing bunch.
His golden run since February includes wins at the Phoenix Open, Arnold Palmer Invitational and WGC-Dell Match Play in Texas.
Starting only one stroke off the lead, Australia’s best hope Cameron Smith dropped four shots before picking up two late birdies. Smith shot 74 to trail Scheffler by six at the halfway mark.
“Pretty brutal day ... it was so windy and gusty out there,” the Australian said. “Lots of quality golf shots that go to 40, 50 feet, and it gets quite frustrating at times Swans but it’s easy to say that you can get unlucky around here, it’s just the way the golf course is.
“It demands quality golf shots, and if you don’t hit them, you’re going to make some numbers.”
Five of the six Australian contenders will be here on the weekend, but a disastrous triple-bogey at the par-five 15th almost cost Adam Scott.
Tiger Woods overcame a bad start to make his 22nd consecutive cut at Augusta, but sits nine shots behind Scheffler.
Stronger winds are forecast, but Rory McIlroy (2-over) said the back markers were not out of it.
“I still feel like I’m right there. You go out tomorrow and you play a decent front nine, and all of a sudden you’re right in the thick of things,” the Northern Irishman said.
“It’s really tough. It’s gusty. It’s hard to commit to a number.”
Marc Leishman bogeyed the 18th hole to finish at 4-over, inside the cut line, while Masters rookies Min Woo Lee and Cameron Davis also made the weekend.
Davis birdied four of his last six holes to save his round and finish at 4-over, while Lee birdied the 15th to make it.
“It’s really tough. Putting’s difficult. I mean, everything’s difficult, to be honest,” Leishman said.
Victorian Lucas Herbert (6-over) shot 76 and is heading home.