Brutal Augusta test takes high profile casualties

Friday at the Masters saw a brutal Augusta test. With only four players breaking par, there were a slew of high profile casualities.

After round one of the Masters, the leaderboard had a distinctly British feel. Spieth was out in front but was followed by the likes of Rose, Casey, McIlroy, Westwood and Willett. But as Rory was one of only four players to break par on day two, both Rose and Casey saw their chances takes a serious dent after shooting rounds of 77. They both start round three on +2 for the tournament, six off the lead of Jordan Spieth.

Saturday Tee Times

For Willett, the news was better. A round of 74 was not to be sniffed at in such difficult conditions and the Sheffield man is tied 8^th going into the weekend at level par. Lee Westwood’s 75 left him on the same score as Casey and Rose.

Latest betting tips

In a tournament where so many players had a realistic chance of winning, there were always going to be high profile players missing the cut. As so it was with Mickelson, Grace, Zach Johnson, Fowler, McDowell and Schwartzel all the wrong side of the plus six cut mark. Narrowly scraping in were Bubba Watson, Louis Oosthuizen and Adam Scott.

However, Jordan Spieth is only 10 shots better than Bubba Watson (who made the cut on the mark at +6). Wit so many top class players within striking distance it looks set to be a classic Masters weekend. The strong winds are forecast to continue on Saturday so whilst the birdie-fest of previous years is unlikely to be repeated, the challenge ahead appears just as fascinating as ever.