LIV Golf star Brooks Koepka is leading the 2023 Masters after (nearly) two rounds at Augusta, and he, along with some other major storylines (including an impressive amateur and poor weather), headline our 2023 Masters going into Round 3.
The second round of the 2023 Masters was postponed until Saturday morning due to inclement weather, which could persist until tomorrow. Normally, the Masters is a stunning springtime event, but this year’s event might very well end on Monday.
Koepka finished his Round 2 and is currently leading the tournament at 12-under 132 going into Moving Day. Despite the bad weather and unfavorable conditions, amateur Sam Bennett, whose fame is rising swiftly, sits alone in third position after posting consecutive 4-under 68s in the first two rounds.
Let’s take a closer look at a couple of guys I expect to be in the mix come Sunday (or Monday).
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Patrick Cantlay Top-10 finish (+170)
Cantlay was initially my pick to win the entire ball of wax at Augusta, and since I’m obstinate and won’t accept that my initial judgment was incorrect, I’m counting on him to play well in the last round there.
Cantlay shot a 1-under 71 in the first round and was positive one through 10 holes on Friday (before play was halted). That’s okay because Cantlay is currently T38 (with players like Mito Pereira, Tyrrell Hatton, Homa, Fred Couples, and Mackenzie Hughes), and with his first solid round of the competition well underway, I anticipate seeing Cantlay shoot up the leaderboard.
He is still in the running and much above the anticipated cut line because it hasn’t happened yet. Despite just having one Top-5 performance at a major in his career-a T3 at the PGA Championship in 2019-he has dominated this season in Strokes Gained. A golfer can win at Augusta National by excelling in the categories of approach, strokes gained: off the tee, and driving distance, all three categories he excels in.
Cantlay has yet to put together a strong round, but if he can hang in there until Sunday (or possibly Monday) for a dry final round, I foresee great things for him in the future. He is simply too good, and he entered this major playing immaculate golf while exuding confidence.
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