R1: Tiger on Prowl at Augusta
R3: Sunday's Superman -- Scheffler or Smith?
R4: Scheffler slams door shut, wins first major at Masters

Estimated reading time: 10 minutes

AUGUSTA, GA. Scottie Scheffler's surge up in the ranks of professional golf did not come in 2022 where he has won already three times on the PGA Tour and looks to add a 4^th triumph and his first major at the 86^th Masters.

Scheffler's rounds of 69-67 provide him with a record tying five shot lead over four players including defending champion Hideki Matsuyama; former Open champion Shane Lowry; former Masters winner Charl Schwartzel and first round leader Sungjae Im. The last four players to have held a five-stroke lead have gone on to win the Masters. Scheffler hopes to keep that streak alive this weekend.

While his play in '22 has him now occupying the world's number one position, his pivotal arrival moment came in last fall's Ryder Cup matches. Scheffler was one of Steve Stricker's captain's picks and his selection had some question the choice since Scheffler, to that point, had not won a PGA Tour title.

On the Sunday's single matches Scottie was pitted against then world number one Jon Rahm and many believed there was little expectation of an American victory. Unfortunately, Scheffler had other plans and in blitzkrieg fashion produced five birdies in the first six holes to quickly place the Spaniard on his heels from which he would not recover losing 4&3. Scheffler had shown previous flashes of scoring wizardry -- becoming the twelfth player to score a sub-60 round with a 59 at the 2020 Northern Trust event. But his decisive thrashing of Rahm showed a golf game that excelled in a number of ways and had him poised for the breakout year he is now enjoying.

The 2022 season has seen Scheffler not flinch at key moments and he now faces the highest of challenges -- winning one's first major championship. It is not totally unfamiliar territory -- in the last three majors played in 2021 he finished in the top ten in each. At last year's Masters he finished within the top 20 -- echoing what he had done in his inaugural visit to Augusta in 2020.

His confidence is clearly present but he is also very aware that staying in the present moment is crucial in going forward.

"I put myself in position, where I'm in position to win this golf tournament. I couldn't ask for anything more after 36 holes,'' said Scheffler. "My game feels like it's in a good spot. I've just got to keep doing what I'm doing and not overthink things.''

Weather conditions will once again be a factor for Saturday's third round. Cooler than normal temperatures have enveloped the Augusta area and strong wind will be present when the leaders tee off in the mid-afternoon time frame. Scheffler was not impacted by the blustery conditions that impacted so many others during Friday second round but weekend play at the Masters is about adding one's name to the roster of champions that have successfully faced that difficult gauntlet.

Scheffler has managed to focus on his game -- pushing aside what others are doing. That is a central key for him with two rounds to play.

"I think I'm still playing against the golf course out there,'' Scheffler said. "And there's a bunch of other guys in the field. So, I can't be paying too much attention to them either way.''

Those trailing Scheffler know that the traditional "moving day" at Augusta means somehow making their presence known quickly in order to add to the pressures all will be facing when Sunday's final round occurs.

Right now, Scheffler is playing the way a world number one should. Five shots is not an insurmountable lead but the level of play he is demonstrating means those in his rear-view mirror must somehow make their presence known fairly quickly.

The final 36 holes at Augusta is now the gauntlet that Scheffler faces. Narrowing the gap that exists between him and the field will be essential given the level of play he has carried out throughout this year.

Those who underestimate his talents need only remember what Scheffler did to Rahm at Whistling Straits.

Scottie's confidence has not been shaken in 2022. This weekend will be telling.

Masters Minutia --

*Tiger Woods had to buckle down after four early bogies during his second round but was able to still make the 36-hole cut which fell at 148 -- four-over-par. The 15-time major winner scored a two-over-par 74 and he valiantly fought back with two back nine birdies at the 13th and 14^th to achieve a major accomplishment given the fact that just fourteen months ago he was in a major car accident which necessitated major surgery and for a time caused concern his right leg would be amputated. 

He's now nine shots behind leader Scheffler but it's clear the 5-time green jacket winner showed resilience in battling the windy and cool conditions. Woods has never missed the cut at the Masters since turning professional. Now, it's on to the weekend to see if he can make a move further up the leaderboard. Tiger's return has only added to the aura he commands.

*Credit Justin Thomas in not giving up after a woeful opening start with four-over-par 76. The 28-year-old was one of the prime favorites and he showed why in matching Friday's low round of 67. Now he has placed himself in a position -- albeit seven shots behind, where strong play this weekend , in combination with leader Scottie Scheffler sliding backwards, could provide him with an opportunity to snare his second major championship and first green jacket.

*Brooks Koepka looked to be in fine form during first round play. He reached two-under-par on his opening nine during Thursday's first round but from the moment he reached the 10^th tee his game simply imploded with five bogies. Friday's play was not any better -- matching his first day score and missing the cut for the second consecutive year at the Masters. Koepka indicated he has not been pleased that his world ranking has fallen and indicated a strong desire to change the direction for the four-time major winner. He will need to wait till the PGA Championship next month in Tulsa at Southern Hills CC.

*Rory McIlroy's streak of non-wins in a major championship seems likely to extend itself since his back-to-back victories in the 2014 Open and PGA Championships. McIlroy did briefly in the first round reach red numbers but his inability to secure any positive momentum has meant consecutive lack luster 73s. A win at Augusta would mean elevation to golf's most elite clubs -- career Grand Slam winners. It appears that goal will need to wait till '23 for the 32-year-old four-time major winner.

*Shane Lowry got into the front page of the leaderboard with an exemplary round of 67. The former Open Champion started Friday's round with a bogey at the opening hole but then elevated his game with five birdies and no additional blemishes. 

*Two-time major winner Collin Morikawa resurrected his chances with a second round two-under-par 70. The 25-year-old is seeking to add to his accomplishments in golf's biggest events but the vexing greens at Augusta National have shined a bright light on the inconsistency of his putting stroke. There are certain horses for certain courses and Augusta National may not be the best fit for his game.

*The two-round cut came at four-over-par 148. Among the top names missing out were former Masters winner Jordan Spieth, former U.S. Open champion Bryson DeChambeau and 2021 Gold Medal winner Xander Schauffele.

*The final twosome of Scheffler and Schwartzel will tee off at 2:50 PM local time.

86^th Masters / 2nd round scores
Augusta National Golf Club