What to Expect on Day 2 of the 2020 Masters

Thursday’s morning rainstorm at Augusta National sufficiently muddled plans at the 2020 Masters. But after a nearly three-hour delay that thwarted Bryson DeChambeau’s strategy for domination — he rebounded from a double-bogey on the par-5 13th hole to shoot a two-under-par 70 — play resumed with 27 of the 48 players who had finished their rounds breaking par for the day. Among them was the reigning champion, Tiger Woods, who logged a four-under 68 on Day 1 to finish three strokes behind the leader, the Englishman Paul Casey.

Friday at Augusta should offer more clarity: With no rain forecast, the club’s notoriously rippling greens should play faster and provide some separation in the leaderboard logjam.

Back-nine starters may have an advantage.

Casey did not relish having to start the Masters on the second nine, because the 10th hole is historically the toughest at Augusta National.

If the tournament were in April, when it is traditionally held, he wouldn’t have had to worry, because all the players start at No. 1. But in November, with daylight at a premium, Augusta National officials had no choice but to send players off both nines.

Article source: https://www.nytimes.com/2020/11/13/sports/golf/masters-leaderboard-day-2.html