The notable action on Saturday at the Masters typically doesn’t begin until late in the afternoon when the players near the top of the leaderboard begin teeing off, but Gary Woodland wasn’t inclined to wait. Woodland began the day at 3-over, 10 strokes off the lead, but it’s moving day and he’s making an early charge.
Masters leaderboard 2014: Gary Woodland ties front 9 record, falls apart at Amen Corner
Gary Woodland made a serious charge up the leaderboard early at Augusta, but has fallen back off the lead after struggling through Amen Corner.
Harry How
Woodland couldn’t have began his round much better, recording a birdie at No. 1 and following it up with an eagle at No. 2. That got him to even-par for the tournament, still seven strokes off the lead. That, however, was only the start of a record-tying front nine. He birdied No. 6 to move into the red for the tournament and closed the first nine with back-to-back birdies at No. 8 and No. 9.
With four birdies and an eagle, Woodland made the turn at 30, tying the Masters front-nine record. He joins an impressive list of players with Johnny Miller, Greg Norman, K.J. Choi and Phil Mickelson the only others to card a 30 on the front nine at Augusta National. In addition to making a little history, Woodland has played himself back into contention. He’s now 3-under for the tournament, tied for third place. A solid back nine and Woodland could get into the clubhouse in very good shape, especially with the course becoming more difficult as it dries out throughout the day.
The Masters course record is 63, achieved by Nick Price and Greg Norman. Woodland would need a 32 on the back to set a new mark for both the Masters and major championships.
Update: Woodland's surge was short lived as he, like many before him, ran into trouble at Amen Corner. Woodland's approach at No. 11 didn't hold the green, leaving a very difficult up-and-down. He was unable to save par, dropping his first shot of the day. More issues came on No. 12 when his tee shot came up short and found Rae's Creek.
He went on to make double bogey, dropping him to 1-under overall. He still has a chance to get some shots back with par-5s coming up, but any thought of a course record is no more. You can find a live leaderboard at Masters.com.
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