SIGH OF THE TIGER

WHAT to do on a free weekend in Augusta? It is not a problem Tiger Woods has ever needed to wrestle with but it is one he may be faced with for the first time tonight. 

- NEIL SQUIRES

An opening two-over-par 74 at the Masters leaves the five-time champion with a second round scrap on his hands to make the cut.

Once, like his playing partners Viktor Hovland – who shared the clubhouse lead – and Xander Schauffele, his fight would have been for a Green Jacket.

Now it is a sign of the times and his advancing years that it is for a spot in the top 50 who roll on to the sharp end of the tournament.

If he falls short, it would be unfortunate timing. Woods is one away from the Masters record of 23 successive cuts, made by Gary Player and Freddie Couples.

But it would be a reflection both of his advancing years and of how difficult it is, even for a player of Woods’ stature, to play so rarely and hit the levels he has for his entire career.