If Charley Hoffman had been a MLB pitcher today, he would've thrown a no-hitter.... a career day, on a day when the windy conditions effectively made Augusta National a par-75. So what's the over/under of him staying within 7 shots of his opening round score on Friday?!
The par5 15th has become the new par3 12th for Spieth this time around. Luckily for him it didn't happen on a Sunday with the lead. When the young man shits the bed, he really shits the bed, as in "honey, I think we're gonna need a new mattress." The interesting thing is that if he just makes bogey there - he's in at level par. The untimely loose swing isn't really the round killer. Its the utter loss of focus immediately following the bad swing that he continues to struggle with. I know that little 3rd shot into the back pin on 15 wasn't easy, but my goodness... you have to take the water out of play, Jordan!
Phil's in a good place, Rose, Dufner, dare I say Sergio? Westwood had an impressive back-nine. When I think of two players who stand to gain the absolute most with winning this week, you'd be hard pressed to find two players who need it more than Sergio or Westwood, for obvious reasons. And not to overlook the solid play by a handful of others, namely McGirt... just don't know enough about him to say one way or the other whether he'll back it up Friday or if the nerves and the wind start having an affect.
Tomorrow will be another windy day, very similar to today.... another opportunity for anyone at +4 or better to make up some ground with some good ball striking and putting. I'm gonna go out on a limb and say that 5-under will be leading the tournament tomorrow evening. The hole locations will be a little tougher, and the greens won't be quite as receptive because of all the wind drying them out and firming them up a bit.
It's nice they have the live coverage on the Masters website. But I will say this - the lack of commercials that we love about this tournament was compromised with all the blabbering going on in Butler Cabin. Guys, let us enjoy the golf. You'll get your chance to get in front of the camera, we don't need 5-minute segments reminding us of Masters' past or how difficult the golf course is.
Impressive first day for a handful of guys, but most especially for Hoffman. He might've shot the low-round of the tournament, on possibly the toughest day no less.
