AUGUSTA — Ernie Els’ putting troubles continued in the second round of the Masters at Augusta National on Friday.
A day after needing 6 putts from just a few feet on No. 1 in Thursday's first round, Els needed three more putts Friday, including a miss for bogey from 3 feet. Els didn't mark the 3-footer, instead preferring to step up and stroke it after a short read. He posted a double-bogey 6.
In two rounds, he is 7 over on the 445-yard par-4. His nine Thursday was the highest score ever recorded in the Masters on the first hole.
The four-time major champ said after Thursday’s first round that he simply couldn’t take the putter back on No. 1. He needed 39 putts, more than anyone in the field, in his round of 8-over 80.
Els’ troubles on Friday started before he stepped on the green. He pull-hooked his approach shot into the gallery on the left of the fairway. His chipped third shot from 49 yards went 34 yards, leaving a 47-foot putt for par.
He followed that by missing a four-foot birdie putt on No. 2 when the ball rolled past the lower edge of the cup. Augusta National’s greens aren’t the easiest to read and putt on because they are so quick, but every mistake Els makes on them will be magnified because of Thursday’s issues and the yips he had last year.
Els drained a 2-footer for a bogey 4 on No. 4. He again didn’t mark the putt, instead choosing to walk up and hit it.
He missed a short putt for par on No. 7, birdied eight and rolled in a four-footer for par on No. 9.
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