Stenson sets the pace, Tiger lags behind in sixth
The Masters has more eagles than the Decorah Eagle Cam as golfers vie for the green jacket at Augusta.
Paul Lawrie, former British Open champion, eagled the par-five 13th and par-five 15th, while Henrik Stenson stayed ahead in the Masters with an eagle on the par-five second and the par-five eighth. After 10 holes, Stenson was six under par.
Lawrie commented on the greens at the Masters, saying, “The greens are in fantastic condition and rolling pretty well. This course is all about the speed and patience and I struggled with that on the front nine but then I got it in the back nine.”
Meanwhile, Tiger Woods, a Masters favorite, is out to get his fifth green jacket at the Augusta National. Woods hasn’t had a major victory since the 2008 U.S. Open, before his marital troubles made headlines. He is currently tied for sixth place with Padraig Harrington, Stewart Cink and Aaron Baddeley.
Woods’ first tee shot knocked straight into a tree, and his second splashed into a creek—both cringe-inducing sounds that are familiar to the lay-golfer’s ears.
Tiger made up for his rough start at the Masters by making par on those first two holes and birdies on holes three and eight. He had a bogey on seven but eventually struggled his way back into the red numbers. Woods made the turn at one under, trailing Stenson by five.
Unfortunately for Masters competitors, the course was drenched with rain Tuesday and Wednesday, and more thunderstorms were forecast for Thursday afternoon. But, dry air is expected to move south to set up perfect golf weather for the remainder of the 2012 Masters.
Luckily for the golfers at the Masters, the greens at Augusta National drain very well. In fact, the marble-like surfaces play slower, and golfers can be aggressive with their putts. Tee shots are more likely to stick than to roll, but the short game is where games are won.
Spectators will have the perfect weather at Augusta this weekend to observe the final weekend of the 2012 Masters.
