Greater than all other lessons on this November Friday at Augusta was this: there are bogeys at Berckmans. No one gets out without losing a stroke somewhere; it’s the golfers that minimize there impact, that post a number. Consider Cameron Smith, who had four bogeys on the second day but closed with four birdies and an eagle over his final six holes, to reach minus-four on the day, minus-nine through two rounds. Consider also, Bryson DeChambeau, who posted a triple and four single bogies over his first 12 holes on Friday. No amount of birdies will offset wayward action of that level. No, it’s not rocket science, but it is easily forgotten. It will prove itself over the weekend, when a Masters champion will don a green jacket, appropriate for this particular season.

Let’s uncover five things that we learned on Friday at the Masters.

1. Without patrons, competitors go about their business

Even at serene Augusta National, it’s impossible to go about a round of golf and unhear what the assemblage of patrons opines. A gallery of attendees is vocal, whether attempting to assist or derail a player. In each case, the suggestions and admonitions reach a golfer’s ears, and they doubtless impact the execution of subsequent shots. Without this interference, it’s the golfer and his ball. Some suggest that this Masters, like the 2020 Open and PGA before it, is somehow less of a major competition for this reason. In my opinion, these events represent pure golf competition more than other years, without the impact of the witnesses. Don’t get me started on the views, which are vast and to die for.

2. May the odds be in your favor

There are two gunslingers currently in the top ten. Their names are Im and Cantlay. Neither betrays any sort of emotion, each goes about his business with the cold precision of a western outlaw or lawman (there wasn’t much separation between the two, doncha know?) Im is competing in his first Masters, but is an incredibly-complete 22 year old, and might win this week. Cantlay led the event through 69 holes last year, but faltered down the stretch. It is an odd fact that only one, first-time attendee (after the inaugural playing, of course) emerged victorious, and that was in 1979, when Ed Sneed wretchedly handed the event to Fuzzy Zoeller. From what I’ve seen thus far, Im can win. Cantlay can win. A gunslinger might win.

3. Is it Hideki’s time?

Here he comes, edging his way into the top five. Hideki Matsuyama has four birdies on the day with zero bogeys and will complete his round on Saturday with holes 16 through 18. The 7-iron he will hit on Redbud, to begin his third day of competition, will probably be easier than driver on 15 or 17. I like his chances of reaching nine-under, right off the bat. Matsuyama lives and dies by the flat stick. Through 33 holes, he averages 1.5 putts per green, with only one three-putt. Those are spectacular numbers for Augusta. Should they continue, watch out.

4. What about Rahm?

The Masters always has a marvelous leaderboard for one simple reason: only the best compete. Five amateurs and a handful of former champions are all that resists a perfect field. It’s easy to lose track of a guy like Jon Rahm. Along with Bryson, Rahm is one of the best interviews in the game. Neither one is capable of playing the cards close to the vest; they WANT you to know what they are feeling. Neither should go contrary to this natural impulse. In Rahm’s case, it walks, hand in hand, with powerful, emotional golf. Rahm was in the mix on Sunday last year, and has matured in every way, with each passing year. He begins Saturday with a five-feet putt for birdie at the 13th. When that putt drops, Rahm will reach 9-under, the current, clubhouse lead. From there, who knows?

5. The cut

The current cut line sits at even par. The biggest (in so many ways) name outside the line is DeChambeau. He needs to play his remaining six holes in 1 under par to slide back to even and play the remainder of the weekend. Matthew Wolff (77) had a forgettable Friday, as did Tyrrell Hatton (74). Both players will miss the final 36 holes, despite riding waves of positivity all the way up Washington Road. Sitting inside the current cut line are two amateurs. John Augenstein reached 6 under par at one point, before easing back to minus-three. He will certainly play the final two rounds and receive an amateur medal. Andy Ogletree, who defeated Augenstein in the 2019 U.S. Amateur final, has eight holes left in his day, and balances precariously on the even-par tightrope. Augusta, you’ve won our hearts again.