Augusta, GA – Scores were up across the board Friday at Augusta National, and first-round co-leader Sergio Garcia's card was no exception.
Garcia has played well this season, highlighted by a tie for third at the World Golf Championship in Doral, and he carried the momentum into Thursday, tying his Masters career-low with a 6-under 66. The bogey-free round -- his first at this event since 2002 -- had Garcia knotted with Aussie Marc Leishman atop the leaderboard, but the Spaniard couldn't keep it going on Day 2.
The lead, Garcia's first after any round of the Masters, quickly dissipated Friday morning courtesy of back-to-back bogeys starting at the par-4 third. Poor swings from the bunker were the cause on both of those dropped shots, while a dunk into the water on the 11th led to another bogey.
Garcia failed to make a birdie on the day, and a fourth bogey -- at the par-5 13th -- put the finishing touches on a disappointing 4-over 76, which dropped the 33-year-old into a tie for ninth at 2-under.
Perhaps Garcia saw it coming.
"It's obviously not my most favorite place," he said Thursday. "But you know, we try to enjoy it as much as we can each time we come here. Sometimes it comes out better than others, but today it was one of those good days. Let's enjoy it while it lasts."
Garcia is still within striking distance, but he will need to bounce back this weekend if he wants to surpass his previous Masters best -- a tie for fourth in 2004.
As for a win? History isn't on Garcia's side. In his PGA Tour career, he is just 1-for-9 in converting first-round leads into a victory.
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