2009 Masters Round 2 Recap

(John Trainor/Flickr)

THE WIND KICKED UP on Friday at Augusta National Golf Club, but it didn’t blow away the chances of a toasty Anthony Kim, who posted a Masters record 11 birdies − and a few “others” − for a 65, low round of the day. AK went from “cut” to contention.

But what’s up with the old guy, Kenny Perry? Did someone forget to remind him that Magnolia Lane isn’t on his schedule? Watch out. Perry is playing all the majors this year. Kenny (67) caught leader Chad Campbell (70) at nine under.

There are plenty of lurkers. U.S. Open champion Angel Cabrera is one stroke off the pace. Just back from obscurity, 2004 British Open champion Todd Hamilton is three back. Tim Clark is hanging around at five under. Jim Furyk, Sergio Garcia and Rory Sabbatini are at four under.

And there are bunches of players at minus three and two, including Phil Mickelson, Tiger Woods and Padraig Harrington.

Gary Player and Fuzzy Zoeller strolled the grounds one last time, an emotional farewell for both Masters champions.

Saturday will be interesting.

MASTERS PRESS TENT

What they said on Friday.

Gary Player: All 36 holes, I got a standing ovation. I wish I had words to − I wish, as I had just mentioned, the vocabulary of Winston Churchill to say the correct thing, but it was a feast.

Anthony Kim: There was a sense of urgency last night when I was leaving the golf course. I knew I had to get off to a good start, and with the wind picking up, I didn’t know what the score would be. And Chad was not helping with the ten-shot rule, because he was at 11 when I looked up.

Todd Hamilton: My year has not been that great. Not counting this event, I made two out of nine cuts. But it wasn’t to the point where I can lose all hope.

Chad Campbell: I felt good all day, and hopefully feel that way the next couple of days.

Kenny Perry: But Dad has always said, “You need to win that Green Jacket.” He always calls me and tells me. (Laughter).

−The Armchair Golfer