More disruption at Augusta as three share lead
IN: News | US PGA | US Masters (2005) | Round One | by Bruce Young | 09 Apr 2005
Play has again been suspended on day two at the Masters and the field will be required to return on Saturday morning at 8.00am. All players have now completed the first round and all but nine or so have made a start in round two.
The leaders, as play was brought to a halt for the day, are the English Masters debutantes David Howell and Luke Donald and first day leader Chris DiMarco who are each at five under par early in their second rounds. Howell is the one who has progressed the most in terms of number of holes played, being through eight holes of his second round. In rather a strange occurrence, brought about by the weather issues, Howell has been first out on Thursday and now again in his second round he is in the first group out from the 10th tee.
DiMarco had four holes to complete when he returned to the course today and added to his overnight score of four under with a birdie at the three 6th hole (his 15th), to reach five under for the tournament and that was where he would finish. An opening 67 had him with the first round lead at Augusta for the second time in four years. He has parred the first hole in round two to remain in the lead but now has to share it.
Howell has certainly taken advantage of first use of the greens on the back side in round two with five birdies in his first eight holes to move from his first round score of even par to be now leading the Masters in his first time as a contestant. For a man who has never finished better than 42nd in the nine majors in which he has played and who arrived at Augusta with hardly the sort of form that inspired confidence, it is an amazing performance - to date at least.
Donald continues to impress in everything he does but again given that it is his first time here as a contestant this is very impressive. He finished off round one with birdies at his 13th and 15th holes to finish with a back nine of 33 and an opening 68 to be one back of Chris DiMarco. He had a chance to take a share of the first round lead with an attempt from five feet behind the hole at the 18th but he missed a very tough putt. A birdie at the par five second in round two has him now at five under for the tournament after two holes.
When Vijay Singh returned to the course today to complete round one he was at two under through 11 holes and his opening tee shot would be the par three 12th. He made par there but then birdied the 13th and 14th and parred in for 68. He has yet to start round two but at four under and just one back of the leading trio he is looking very menacing.
Two Australians share fifth place including Mark Hensby who continues to defy logic in his first time effort here and Stuart Appleby who is also reversing previous Augusta trends with his performance thus far. Appleby completed his first round after also restarting at the 12th and added one further birdie to his overnight score when he made four at one of the easier holes on the course, the par five 15th. He has yet to start round two.
Like Singh, Phil Mickelson lurks just off the pace after his opening round of 70. The defending champion returned to birdie the 12th this morning but was then unable to pick up shots at either of the two par fives on the back nine and split them with a bogey at the 14th. He is still in very good shape for when play gets underway tomorrow.
After a shaky finish for 75 yesterday when he was one of the lucky few to get round one completed on day one, Kirk Triplett has made a big move today to be five under through eight holes and now two under for the tournament. A birdie at his first hole (the 10th) was followed by an eagle at the 13th and then birdies at the 15th and 16th. Triplett, who has been twice 6th in his last four visits here, has had a rather ordinary season to date this year on the USPGA Tour so this is quite a form reversal.
Tiger Woods returned to the course today and recommenced at the 4th (his 13th). A birdie at the next had him back to one over and well within striking distance but a bogey at the par three 6th and another at the par five 8th, after driving it behind a tree, saw him finish at two over. Not exactly out if it, but he is giving some quality players a start. He played only one hole in round two, making par at the first hole.
Perhaps surprisingly Ernie Els continues to struggle. When he returned to the course today at the 3rd (his 12th) he made birdie to move back to two over and a birdie or two to finish perhaps may have seen a reasonable result. At the par three 4th however he would take double bogey and although he birdied his 17th hole (the par five 8th) he was round in 75 and has a battle on his hands.
Of the other Australians Adam Scott completed his first round in one under 71, the highlight a birdie at the par three 6th from five feet. He was only just commencing his second round when it was halted.
Rod Pampling had the luxury of a good night's sleep and took full advantage of that with a good start to round two. An early birdie at the 2nd has him at even par for the tournament through seven holes of round two and making good progress.
Craig Parry, as we have come to expect, continues to battle away and added a birdie to his overnight score before closing round one in even par. He has made par at the first today and at even par for the tournament is currently in 14th place.
Nick O'Hern added a bogey and a birdie to his even par overnight score but an early bogey in round two has him at one over.
Peter Lonard birdied the 15th on his return today but then two quick bogeys saw him finish with 75 and a bogey early in his second round has not helped his cause. At four over he will need to play par golf from here in to be assured of making his first cut at Augusta.
Robert Allenby bogeyed his first hole out today, the 7th, (his 16th) and at five over 77 he was the worst of the Australians in the opening round. He has added a bogey and a birdie in round two to remain at five over and he now has the task ahead of him to improve on his less than impressive Augusta record.
Early indications, bearing in mind that only the top 44 and ties here make it, suggest a cut score of around 5 over which would be one more than last year if that is the case.
Photo - Anthony Powter
