Friday at the Masters: Photos and what the best of the best golfers said

What a weekend we have in store at the Masters. There are ten Major Championships between the top seven after 36 holes, which also includes four of the World Rankings’ top ten.

Each day this week, europeantour.com will recap the best of the day’s action, from online to down on the ground.

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Bubba Watson doing Bubba Watson things…

Tiger Woods has been away from the Masters for the last two editions, but he’s sticking around a little longer this year.

Rickie Fowler saved par in some style this afternoon on the sixth…

Storylines

Patrick Reed has performed on the big stage before and he’ll need to do it again this weekend. Everybody knows how important the Texan has been to the United States in The Ryder Cup, but he’s yet to win a Major Championship. He shot a joint-low round of the week 66 to take a two-shot lead into the weekend in Augusta.

It wasn’t a dull afternoon for the 2015 Champion. Jordan Spieth led after 18 holes, but was three over after 12 holes on Friday, thanks in part to a double on the first. However, he rallied back to finish two over for the day. The last time Spieth led after 18 holes he won The 2017 Open Championship and he remains in the hunt to win his second Green Jacket after salvaging two birdies on the back nine.

Rory McIlroy’s dream is still alive. The career Grand Slam is on the line again this week for the Northern Irishman and he shot a one under round of 71 to keep himself in contention heading into the weekend.

The weather is set to turn overnight, with rain and wind expected to play its part on Saturday. Warm and relatively calm conditions could return for Sunday, but the players will be gearing up for a challenging Moving Day.

On the course

What they said…

Rory McIlroy​ – “It’s such a hard golf course to chase on. You start to go for pins and you start chasing it, that’s when you can bring in some trouble and make some mistakes. So I’m happy with the position I’m in, and whatever weather comes our way tomorrow, I feel like I’ll be able to handle it and keep myself near the top of the leaderboard.”

Jordan Spieth​ – “I’ve taken a lot of punches on this golf course, and in tournaments in general.  I told Michael[Greller, Spieth’s caddie], “Look, when this course plays tough, I’m good for a double here or some bogeys there.  Let’s make these the only ones.”  He was really good at saying, “Man, you always take punches out here and come back stronger.”

Henrik Stenson​ – “It’s hard just staying patient normally, but I was getting a little upset with myself not hitting the shots that I wanted. I guess I gave myself a little kick in the butt there on 14 and that seemed to help because, I finished with a couple of birdies coming in.”

Tiger Woods​ – “Six months ago I didn’t know if I’d be playing golf. Forget playing at tour level, I didn’t know if I’d ever be playing again. But it’s incredible to have the opportunity again, to still come out here and play this golf course. Now I know I’m on the weekend. Even though I’m a lot behind, if I play a special weekend, shoot two rounds in the mid 60s, you never know.”