Bubba rides on birdies to open up a lead
AUGUSTA, GEORGIA: Bubba Watson made five birdies in a row to snatch the halfway lead at the 78th Masters on Friday as some of golf ’s biggest names, including Phil Mickelson, failed to make it past the second round.
While most of the world’s best golfers struggled to make par in the brutally tough conditions at Augusta National, Watson surged into contention for a second green jacket in three years.
The American produced a masterful display on the back nine to grab the outright lead at seven-under 137 and hold a three shot advantage over Australia’s John Senden.
Another four players, including the defending champion Adam Scott, were tied for third at three-under. The Australian (72) was joined by Denmark’s Thomas Bjorn (68) and Sweden’s Jonas Blixt (71) and American Jordan Spieth (70), who were among the record 24 rookies in the field.
Fred Couples, the 1992 champion, finished with a 71 to join Jimmy Walker (72) and Jim Furyk (68) at two-under while Mickelson missed the cut for the first time in 17 years after finishing at five-over.
The three-time champion missed out by a shot after making a mess of the treacherous 12th hole, where he landed in the bunker three times, and signing for a 73. “I didn’t play great. I didn’t play bad,” Mickelson said. “I just had one bad hole there at 12. And I keep making these triples, they’re tough to overcome.”
Mickelson was not the only high profile casualty. Argentina’s Angel Cabrera, the 2009 champion and runner-up last year, missed out after finishing eight over.
South Africa’s Charl Schwartzel, who won 2011, also missed out along with the 2007 winner Zach Johnson and the 2008 champion Trevor Immelman. OLIVER WINS
AUGUSTA : A year after Adam Scott provided Australia with its first Masters champion, teenager Oliver Goss gave the country another success when he secured the silver cup as the low amateur.
On the eve of his 20th birthday, Goss upstaged some of the sport’s biggest names to shoot a one-under-par 71 in Friday’s second round to reach the halfway stage at a respectable three-over.