It is a tall task to consider how many golfers had at least a share of the lead on day two at the 2022 Masters. Im Sung-jae, the first-round leader, stood at minus-five at one point, the lowest total of the day. He finished at three-under par. Charl Schwartzel, Danny Willett, Hideki Matsuyama, and Scottie Schefler all reached the top rung of the ladder, but none was able to separate from the field. To blame, were the winds. The zephyrs that put the “gust” in Augusta National were on full display, from the first tee shot to the final putt. It wasn’t just the swirling winds of Amen Corner that vexed the world’s finest male golfers. It was breezes, drafts, and blasts from every direction that caused consternation and over-par scores.

There was much to learn from the second round of golf at the 2022 Masters. We’ve condensed the lessons to a five-pack, similar to the ones offered by your favorite PGA professional. Ours are on offer for free, and we are thrilled that you stepped up to our instruction tee. Have a read of the five things that we learned on Friday at the Masters in 2022.

1. Scottie Scheffler put on a show

We understand that the world’s top-ranked player has a five-shot advantage over a quartet of chasers. We get that some golf aficionados consider that to be separation from the field. Remember that this is Augusta National, and this is a major championship. No lead is enough, but Scheffler gave himself a bit of wiggle room by playing the final seven holes in four-under par. Each birdie that he counted, gave him one more error-arrow in his quiver. Scheffler begins Saturday like any other golfer at plus-four or better. If he posts the low round for a second consecutive day in round three, then he will have separation. It’s complicated, but you’ll understand in a few days.

Scheffler separates from the field. Lead is now five strokes. #themasters pic.twitter.com/0WQLTXZyu5

— The Masters (@TheMasters) April 8, 2022

2. Shane Lowry smiles his way to final pairing

The Irishman charmed and impressed us on his way to an Open championship at Royal Portrush in 2019. That same blend of giddiness and grit returned to a major stage on Friday at Augusta National. Despite an opening bogey, Lowry found a pair of birdies by the tenth hole. He didn’t do himself any favors from tee to green there, until he hit the shot that you see below. That birdie buoyed his spirits, and compelled him to play the next eight holes in two-under par. Lowry will play in the penultimate pairing on Saturday, and will be close enough to Charl Schwartzel and Scottie Scheffler to smell their fear…or something like that. Don’t sleep on Lowry; he is a gamer on the big stage.

38-yard chip in for the Irishman. Shane Lowry moves to one under par for the Tournament. #themasters pic.twitter.com/Wq8OgaELrk

— The Masters (@TheMasters) April 8, 2022

3. Tiger Woods is nine back, but in the hunt

Why did Tiger compete this week? He believed that he could win. Woods knew coming in that there would be one day of struggle on his way to victory. That day was Friday, and the greatest was able to grind out a 74. He found the inner strength to record birdies at 13 and 14, after bogeys at 11 and 12 slowed his pursuit of a green jacket. There is no doubt that the hills of Berckmann’s Nursery are taking their toll on his knees, and there is no doubt that a dearth of competitive experience has hampered him. And yet, he made par putts and birdie putts when he needed them, and kept his name inside the top twenty, and in contention. He might not win, but he won’t go away. In order to contend, Woods needs 67-67 over the weekend. Grab your popcorn.

Two in a row for Tiger Woods. He heads into No. 15 at one over par. #themasters pic.twitter.com/UrDj8t67qS

— The Masters (@TheMasters) April 8, 2022

4. Don’t you, forget about me

We’re going to give you bullet points for the second consecutive day. Strap in!

• Harold Varner III – To me, he looks like he lurches after each shot. He does it the same way each time. He’ll be around on Sunday.
• Charl Schwartzel – Is he an underachiever? He hasn’t won as often as we anticipated, after he won at Augusta in 2011. Lightning struck twice for Ben Crenshaw, 11 years apart. Might happen for Charl.
• Hideki Matsuyama – The defending champion would love to host the Tuesday soiree for a second consecutive year, in 2023. In order to do that, he’ll have to grind the way he did today for another 36 holes. As he showed in 2021, he is capable.
• Im Sung-jae – The leader after 18 holes struggled on Friday, but held on to remain at minus-three after 36 holes. He will need to replicate Thursday’s balanced, stellar play over the next 48 hours to give himself an opportunity.

Despite strong winds Harold Varner III hits it to two feet on No. 16. #themasters pic.twitter.com/AVzNq1qj7q

— The Masters (@TheMasters) April 8, 2022

5. Teach them how to say good-bye … and not cry

Each of the six amateurs packed his bags after 36 holes at Augusta National. They weren’t alone. Major champions Brooks Koepka, Bryson DeChambeau, and Jordan Spieth failed to reach plus-four, and headed away from north Georgia. Olympic gold medalist Xander Schauffele also missed the halfway cut, and continues to search for the secret to major success. In all, 39 golfers fell to the blender, while 52 remained to battle on. The most inspirational was Justin Thomas, who went from 76 to 67 and moved on. Next came Adam Scott, who made a brilliant par save at the last hole on day two, to make the cut on the number. The gods of golf are fickle.

Recap de la primera ronda: Niemann con el tiro del día, Sungjae Im es líder y Woods Top 10. #elMasters #themasters pic.twitter.com/ax8TXvzxa4

— The Masters (@TheMasters) April 8, 2022