Bubba Watson tries again: the thirty-six year old North American leads the Masters underway at Augusta National, Georgia, with a run of 137 strokes, – 7 under par, 3 lengths from the Australian John Senden and 4 from the defending champion, Adam Scott. The games are wide open, but Bubba's genius and recklessness made the difference in the first two days. The left-handed player has a perfect game for Augusta, as he has already demonstrated in 2012 by winning his first green jacket: he's very long, he's capable of working the ball from any corner of the field, he's a champion with the putter in his hand. History, among other things, shows that the course is well suited to the game of left-handed players, given the numerous "sinister" Masters Champions since 1934. Yet this year the left-handed par excellence, Lefty alias Phil Mickelson, does not have the 'he made and missed the cut by a hair's breadth. The dream of adding another major to his collection, he boasts 5 (including 3 Masters), he ran aground on a run of 149 strokes, 5 over par. Too many mistakes, even if concentrated in just a few holes, were fatal to Phil who, in Tiger's absence, was the most charismatic player in this edition. Those who, like him, played the second 18 holes in the afternoon had to deal with the wind and its tantrums, with ever faster greens. In this wake many favorites went home on the eve: in addition to Phil, number 5 in the world, Sergio Garcia (number 6), Dustin Johnson (11) and then Luke Donald, Ernie Els, Victor Dobuisson, Webb Simpson, Charl Schwartzel, Graeme McDowell, Patrick Reed, Angel Cabrera, Jason Dunfer.
Even Matteo Manassero, after a good start, unfortunately got stuck: 71-81 his partials, for a total of 152 shots, too many for the ambitions of the young Italian champion and to play over the weekend. Instead Francesco Molinari did it, more imprecise in the second 18 holes (71-76), but able to contain the damage and find himself at +3, in 37th position.
Among the Europeans, the best in the standings are the Dane Thomas Bjorn and the Swede Jonas Blixt, a rookie in his first experience at the Masters. Both are third at -3, tied with Scott and the very young Jordan Spieth, a Texan, in his early twenties, a bad temper combined with a great talent.
The great Fred Cuples, 55 years old, nice, talented, handsome is running for the podium. "Bum Bum" hasn't won the Masters since 1992, but in the last 4 editions he has always finished in the top 15. His weak point is his putt and the result of -2, after 36 holes, doesn't do justice to his spectacular game. Honorable mention for Jimmy Walker, who is not a whiskey forgotten in the cellar, but a flowery player at the age of 35. He is currently number one at Fedex and has already won three tournaments this season. At the moment he is 5 strokes from the leader and there aren't too many: Bubba is a champion, but he is also self-taught and can make a lot of mistakes. Walker, on the other hand, is doing his homework well with his coach Butch Harmon. On an equal footing, still at -2, another great old man: Jim Furyk, 44 years old.
In all there are only 14 players under par, among them two other Europeans who are enjoying a splendid season: the Scotsman Stephen Gallacher, winner this year in Dubai and the Welshman Jamie Donaldson, both at -1.
Starting today the game is getting harder and harder and there will be surprises. On paper, the candidates for the podium are Bubba and Adam Scott, who also boast a highly experienced caddy like Steve Williams, who knows the Augusta greens better than anyone else, having studied and dominated them for years together with his former employer. work Tiger Woods, If Scott were to repeat the 2013 feat he would not only become world number one in his own right, but he would also join the exclusive club of players who have won the Masters two years in a row whose members, for now, are only three: Jack Nicklaus, Nick Faldo and Tiger.
After the hard test of the first two days, 51 players remained on the field, including many "past winners": Sandy Lyle, 56, winner in 1988; Josè Maria Olazabal, Masters winner in '94; Vijai Singh, 51, former world number one, green jacket in 2000; Larry Mize, 56, a native of Augusta and a 1987 winner; Bernhard Langer, 57, first in 93; Mike Weir, 44, winner in 2003.
Also on the line of the cut is one of the favorites of the eve: Rory McIlory, who has a heavy score behind him, +4, eleven shots behind the leader. The Northern Irishman was particularly unlucky yesterday, but he's the most talented player on the tour after Woods, who knows if he won't surprise everyone with special effects over the weekend.
