AUGUSTA, Ga. – Scottie Scheffler played two groups behind Tiger Woods on Friday but finished a mile ahead. As the golf world obsessed over Woods’ every move this week, Scheffler welcomed that long shadow. The hottest player in golf – a gamer in every sense of the word – quietly rocketed to the top of the board on a gusty day at the Masters after a 5-under 67 put Scheffler five strokes clear of the field at 8 under 136.
Five players have led by five strokes after 36 holes at the Masters and all but one, Harry Cooper in 1936, went on to win: Jordan Spieth (2015), Raymond Floyd (1976), Jack Nicklaus (1975), and Herman Keiser (1946).
Four players hold a share of second at 3 under including 2021 champion Hideki Matsuyama, 2011 champion Charl Schwartzel, Shane Lowry, and Sungjae Im.
