Indian-Americans Akshay Bhatia and Sahith Theegala handled the tough and windy conditions on the second day to make the 36-hole cut at the 88th Augusta Masters here.
Bhatia, 22, who won the Valero Texas Open last week, shot (72-75) to be T-30, while Theegala (74-74) was T-35, despite a triple bogey after the second round.
“The wind, the swirling winds was tough. Certainly, there’s not a lot of options to hit it close. It’s a pretty tough stretch from 10, 11, 12, and I haven’t taken advantage of the par-5s really,” said Bhatia, who is playing his first Masters.
World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler held on in strong winds for an even par 72 that included three birdies and three bogeys.
Scheffler, who won the Masters in 2022, shared the lead with overnight leader Bryson DeChambeau (65-73) and Max Homa (67-71) at 6-under 138.
Tiger Woods, meanwhile, made more Masters history by making the cut for a record 24th consecutive time after carding a 72 to sit on 1-over. He is just seven shot behind the leaders on T-22.
Before the tournament, Woods jointly held the record for most consecutive cuts at tournaments played with Fred Couples and Gary Player on 23.
“I’m here. I have a chance to win the golf tournament,” said the 82-time PGA TOUR winner and five-time Masters champion.
“I don’t think anyone is going to run off and hide right now, but it’s really bunched. The way the ball is moving on the greens, chip shots are being blown, it’s all you want in a golf course today.”
On the physical challenge, he added, “Yeah, I’m tired. I’ve been out for a while, competing, grinding. It’s been 23 holes, a long day.But I really did some good fighting today, and we’ve got a chance.”
Nicolai Hojgaard (67-73) was fourth at 4-under, while Cam Davis (69-72) and Collin Morikawa (71-70) after a long time came into contention in a Major, and they were T-5th.
Ludvig Aberg was the only one to shoot under 70 with a 69 and he was 2-under after two rounds in seventh spot.
