Masters Second Round Thoughts 2011

McIlroy didn’t implode on the second round, and Tiger made a move. And that’s just the big headlines for what I thought was a fun second round of the 2011 Masters.

I wrote yesterday that Tiger was still in it, but I didn’t think he was going to make a showing. Boy was I wrong. On Friday, he showed flashes of the old Tiger, clawing his way back into contention. I still don’t think his putting is in back in form, but he was sticking it close enough that it didn’t make a difference. I still don’t think he’ll win, though. At several points during the broadcast, the analysts noted that the pins were in relatively accessible positions today.

Nice to see Fred Couples—one of my all time favorites—hanging around the front runners. He’s 51 this year, and well past the age when we expect players to contend. The guy’s on the Champion’s tour, for heaven’s sake. Go Freddie!

But the one old guy aside, I think the real story continues to be the new generation. Rory McIlroy, Jason Day, Alvaro Quiros, Ricky Barnes, Ricky Fowler and Charl Schwatzel all look like the winners of the next eight or ten majors.

Martin Kaymer embarrassed himself this week.

My picks are largely intact: Tiger Woods, YE Yang, Fred Couples, Charl Schwartzel, Steve Stricker and Phil Mickelson all have a chance to finish in the top ten, if not win. Bubba Watson is ten out in a T37, but I have hopes that he gets inside 20. As for Hunter Mahan, Tom Watson, Martin Kaymer ... thanks for nothing. I dropped Mahan for Rory McIlroy.

What has happened to Davis Love?

Here’s a dark horse name for you: Geoff Ogilvy.

Can’t wait until tomorrow. It’ll be interesting to see how McIlroy and Day handle the pressure.