Jose Maria Olazabal secures spot in weekend play after moving past Masters cut line at 58

Olazabal barely makes the cut at the Masters after a rollercoaster round, while big names like Thomas and Spieth miss out.

Jose Maria Olazabal was initially convinced he would miss the cut at the 88th Masters after shooting a 77 in the opening round without a single birdie. However, by the end of the day, the cut line had shifted from 5 over par to 6 over, allowing the 58-year-old Spanish golfer to make the cut on the number.

Olazabal got off to a strong start on Friday, birdieing the second and third holes. Despite a bogey at No. 9 and a costly triple bogey at the famed par-3 12th, he managed to finish the final six holes in 1 under par for a 73. Making a birdie at the par-3 16th was enough for him to secure his spot in the weekend rounds.

Reflecting on his performance, Olazabal expressed pride in his ability to keep fighting and play good golf over the two days. Despite a couple of costly mistakes, he was pleased with his overall performance and surprised by his level of play at Augusta.

Olazabal's success at making the cut alongside other veteran players like Vijay Singh and Phil Mickelson, who are also in contention, highlights the fact that age is just a number when it comes to past champions navigating their way around the prestigious course.

On the other hand, Justin Thomas struggled in the second round, finishing with a 79 after playing the final four holes in 7 over par. His disappointing performance contributed to the shifting of the cut line, with only the top 50 players and ties making it to the weekend. Despite missing the cut, Thomas' experience adds to the unpredictable nature of major championships.

Ultimately, the 88th Masters proved to be a challenging yet exciting tournament, with experienced players like Olazabal defying expectations and younger stars facing unexpected setbacks. The shifting cut line and the resilience of veteran players serve as a reminder of the unpredictable and captivating nature of the sport of golf.

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