By G. Rennie
Augusta National is very welcoming to its former champions each Masters week with an assortment of activities that allows those past their playing prime to socialize, reminisce, teach the next generation the nuances of the course and to compete in the Par 3 Tournament on Wednesday.
Champions are also invited to play the tournament without proving current form like the rest of the invitees. Two former champions eligible for Champions Tour play distinguished themselves in the first two rounds by making the cut. Vijay Singh, the 2000 Masters winner stands at +1 after posting a 70 today.
The star of the senior champions set is Mark O’Meara who posted a sizzling 68 today and sits a -3 after 36 holes. That’s one stroke better than his old bosom buddy Tiger. Those two had a love fest during the practice rounds earlier this week and it would be a treat to see them paired on the weekend.
Jordan Spieth continued to write history by backing up his opening round 64 with a stylish 66 today. Two other players matched him for low round of the day. 
Kevin Na, one of the most fidgety and nervous pros on tour, found some inner calm today and managed six birdies and an eagle (on 15) along with two bogeys. At -4 he stands tied for eighth place with three other players. One of those others is Ryan Moore, the third player to post 66 in Friday’s round. Moore had a cleaner card then Na and posted one more birdie than did Spieth. His six birds against one bogey, on the treacherous 11th hole, were the result of stellar iron play.
Augusta is known as a second shot course and Moore was well rewarded for his fine approach play. Moore, a former U.S. Amateur Champ, has been overshadowed in his pairing so far as he’s been teamed with Phil and Rory through 36. He’ll play in the shadow of 2011 Champion Angel Cabrera tomorrow. He’s 10 back of the leader but might have another special round in his bag.
One of the more interesting pairings in Saturday’s play will be Tiger and Sergio. Tiger has been Sergio’s Kryptonite for his entire career, stemming from the ’99 PGA to the present day. The racist remarks made by Sergio in reference to Tiger in 2013 paints an awkward backdrop for these two competitors. I won’t call them rivals since Sergio hasn’t ever bested Tiger in head to head competition at any time in his career. Despite his petulance, self absorption, and backward thinking Sergio is a joy to watch on the golf course as he displays his emotions as well as he stakes the ball. Perhaps the kindler, gentler Tiger that seems to have emerged at this Masters will cut him some slack and forgive his past insults. Maybe, but my money is on Tiger to shoot the lower round.
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