AUGUSTA DIARY

SLOW SHOW A NO-NO

YES, it was windy and difficult etc, but did it really have to be quite so damn slow? Two hours 40 minutes for the front nine for Sergio Garcia’s group? That pace of play would be hard to watch in shirts and shorts, never mind jackets and ski hats.

RORY HOFF THE CUFF

CHARLEY HOFFMAN might have predictably come back down to earth yesterday but when told of the American’s 65 on Thursday night, Rory McIlroy’s wide-eyed amazement and two-word summary placed it in its true light. ‘Holy s**t,’ said Rory.

WOOSNAM BLOW

IAN WOOSNAM (left) backtracked on his decision to retire from the Masters and certainly did not disgrace himself with rounds of 76 and 78. How he must have wished he could have turned the clock back, though, for no-one was better in the wind.

HATTON GETS HIS COAT

TYRRELL HATTON has been playing fabulous golf all year but he had a Masters baptism to forget after humbling rounds of 80 and 78. If there is one thing we have learnt about the 25-year-old Englishman, however, he will be better for the experience and be back next year.

ROSS WAITING GAME

ROSS FISHER got into the Masters at the last minute and faced another wait to see if he made the halfway cut. The Englishman (right) finished on six over for 36 holes — and was hoping the lead was no better than four under. Anyone within 10 shots plays on.

REED STILL NOT RIGHT

IF you are wondering what has happened to Patrick Reed, so is the player himself. ‘My frustration is at an all-time high,’ said the Texan, who went to college in Augusta, about a slump that continued here with a missed cut after his 76 and 77.