After 75-75, Woods Can Be Comfortable at Home

On his second visit to the Masters, Tiger Woods found Augusta National about the same as last year, even if his stay was cut in half.

Woods posted his second 75, and his 150 total missed the cut Friday. In his debut last year, Woods shot 72-72, then finished tied for 41st.

“It was disappointing,” Woods said. “The score didn’t show it, but I played better this year than last year.”

Woods began the back nine with three consecutive bogeys but finished with a good attitude.

“I thought I played pretty good,” he said. “I was a lot more comfortable playing here. I knew what to expect. What I learned last year helped a lot.”

His next appearance in a major will be the U.S. Open, June 13-16 at Oakland Hills in Bloomfield Hills, Mich.

No amateur made the cut for the first time in three years. Woods was the low amateur of the five.

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The high cost of golf? Someone outside the gate on the sidewalk of Washington Road was offering $1,300 for a Masters badge.

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At least Doug Ford kept his streak going. Ford, 73, the 1957 Masters champion, played in his 44th Masters to tie Sam Snead’s record.

Ford shot 81-88 and his 169 was 25 over par. But he finished two rounds.

“I came in here thinking I wouldn’t be able to walk it,” Ford said. “I busted my toe last Saturday.”

Ford hasn’t made the cut since 1971. He has played 53 consecutive rounds over par, which adds up to an aggregate total of 362 over par.

He isn’t quitting, though.

“I’ll play until I can’t play,” Ford said.

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Meanwhile, 94-year-old Gene Sarazen was told about Jack Nicklaus’ glowing comments about Tiger Woods.

Sarazen then asked Woods’ age. He was told 20.

“I was the [U.S.] Open champion by 20 and the PGA champ by 20,” Sarazen said.

After that, Sarazen, the 1935 Masters champion, rode off in a golf cart. He said over his shoulder as he left, “See you in heaven.”

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The cut was at two-over-par 146, and it claimed more than a few big names.

Tom Watson, a two-time Masters champion, finished at 147.

Also missing the cut were Fuzzy Zoeller, Michael Campbell, Payne Stewart, Arnold Palmer, defending champion Ben Crenshaw and PGA champion Steve Elkington.

Nick Price had to birdie the last hole to make the cut. Fred Couples, who opened with a 78, shot 68 despite a double bogey on No. 12 and made the cut by one shot. So did Seve Ballesteros, Justin Leonard and Colin Montgomerie.

The 44 players making the cut tied for the lowest number since 1966, when the rule was passed that any player within 10 shots of the lead automatically made it.