Tiger Woods has set a new record by making the weekend cut at the Masters for the 24th consecutive time, grinding out a 1-over-par score through the first 36 holes at Augusta National.
"I've been lucky enough to have been able to play this event for all these years," Woods said of breaking a tie with Gary Player and Fred Couples, who played into the weekend at the Masters 23 times in a row. "And I did miss a cut when I was an amateur. As a pro, I've done well. It's just an amazing aura that this place has."
When Woods signed his scorecard Friday afternoon, he was tied for 26th. Woods' final round Sunday will be his 100th at the Masters.
Woods, 48, played a total of 23 holes on Saturday (NZ time).
The physical test for the five-time Masters champion included the final five holes required to complete his opening round, which was postponed by darkness following a morning weather delay.
"I'm tired. I've been out for a while, competing, grinding," Woods said. "It's been a long 23 holes, a long day."
Woods rolled in a bogey at the last to end his first round, then was faced with a rapid return to the first tee with less than 45 minutes before the start of the second round.
Woods flashed late-morning brilliance with three birdies, highlighted by a chip-in from the fringe on No. 6, on the front nine but also showed some rust with three bogeys.
"It was a good fight. I was able to go out there and still be out there in the ballgame going into the weekend," Woods said.
He posted a total of 36 on the first nine of the second round.
It is Woods' first appearance since withdrawing from the Genesis Invitational in February with flu-like symptoms, and his first major in a year. Woods made the cut at last year's Masters but withdrew before the end of the rain-interrupted third round, citing plantar fasciitis.
After a bogey at the par-4 14th in the second round, Woods responded with his only birdie on the back nine as wind gusts up to 40 mph caused careful calibration on every shot.
Woods, who hit 22 of 28 fairways in the first two rounds, said it wasn't possible to single out one part of his game that was tested most.
"Pretty much everything. This golf course will expose any weakness that you have. The greens are quick right now. This wind is all over the place... anything that gets in the air, it was a great test."
