As the weekend approaches, all eyes are on Mother Nature, who seems to have a bad temper this year. Players are bracing themselves for the worst, as the forecast calls for 100% chance of rain on Saturday, and perhaps even more bad weather to come.
But despite the ominous forecast, the golf action has been thrilling. Four-time major winner Brooks Koepka has taken the lead with a strong showing, shooting a 67 and reaching 12 under before the weather twice halted play. Koepka is a frontrunner to win the Masters, but there are still many players in contention.
Jon Rahm is 2 under halfway through his second round, 9 under overall, and three off the lead. Amateur Sam Bennett is also playing well, shooting his second straight 68 to reach 8 under, four behind Koepka. However, the inclement weather is making things challenging for all players. On Friday, a brief suspension of play occurred at 3:07 p.m., and then the trees fell at 4:22, causing another halt.
The weather is also affecting the course, as it took rain last weekend, affecting the Augusta National Women’s Amateur and the Masters. The greens are slow and soft, making it challenging for players to adjust their shots. Even experienced players like Justin Rose, who has two runner-up finishes at the Masters, are struggling to make putts due to the slow greens.
As we look ahead to the weekend, the question of who thrives in poor conditions is likely to become a critical factor, along with who plays Augusta best. Some players, like Rose and Jordan Spieth, who won the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am in chilly Monterey earlier this season, have experience playing in cold and rainy conditions. However, it’s still anyone’s game, and the wild weather could lead to wild lead changes.
Keep your eyes on the forecast and your hearts in your throats as we wait to see who will come out on top in this challenging Masters Tournament.
