Angel Cabrera makes a putt to get into the playoffCredit: Fred Vuich - Sports Illustrated
The magic of the Masters is real, it resides in the people who played at Augusta National over the years and in the stories passed from generation to generation, recounting Gene Sarazen's double eagle at the par 5 15th, Byron Nelson's birdie and eagle at Amen Corner, Phil Mickelson's breakthrough win in a major, Jack Nicklaus' incredible finish in 1986, but also Greg Norman's monumental collapse between the azaleas.
The magic of the Masters is in those memorable moments which, thanks to the players who compete at Augusta and to a perfect golf course, happen every year, stunning the patrons basking in the sun several feet from the 18th green, the patrons who stand a couple of yards behind a tee-shot at the 12th or the millions of viewers at home.
This year was no exception. Tiger Woods, returned from injury, already earning a win at Bay Hill and Phil Mickelson eager to win his third green jacket were there to put on a show for the ages. So were other players like Jim Furyk, Kenny Perry or Steve Flesch.
A 65 was the best score of the first round and it was posted by Chad Campbell. The 34-year old from Andrews, Texas began with 5 birdies in a row on Thursday, a record in itself, and then went on another birdie-spree from the 12th to the 15th. Two bogeys on the last two holes brought him closer to the field., as he finished at 7-under par. Hunter Mahan and Jim Furyk had rounds of 6-under, Mahan making 9 birdies, a bogey and a double bogey, while Furyk had a bogey-free round. Prayad Marksaeng also shot a 69 but missed the cut with a second round of 84 ( having 10 bogeys, a double bogey and no birdies).
A second round 65 from the young gun Anthony Kim saw him finish over the cut line, after a bad Thursday. Kenny Perry, Sergio Garcia and Phil Mickelson had low rounds which brought them closer to the top of the leaderboard.
to be continued...
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