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Friday's Birdies and Bogeys

By Alex Myers

Who were the winners and losers on Day 2 at Muirfield? It's time to take a closer look with another edition of birdies and bogeys

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Birdie: Miguel Angel JimenezThe hair. The cigars. The weird stretching routine. Sometimes the fact that the Spaniard is a pretty good golfer gets lost among the other things that make him one of the game's coolest characters. But at 49, Jimenez has a chance to add an exclamation point to a career that includes 19 victories on the European Tour. Not that he seems to worry. He's even too cool for that. "If I don't have a major in my career, it don't mean you're not a good player," he said. "Simply, it's a nice plus." Yep. That's the understatement of the year.
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Bogey: Justin RoseIn the latest example of golf's unpredictability, the recent U.S. Open champ won't even be around for the weekend of the next major championship. Rose made more double bogeys (three) than birdies (two) during his two rounds at Muirfield. And in the event he covets most, his T-4 as a 17-year-old amateur remains his lone top 10. At least when he returns home this time, he'll have that other Open trophy awaiting him.
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Birdie: Tiger Woods' mid-range puttingWoods rolled in a 10-footer for par on No. 1 and he made one from twice as far for birdie on No. 18. In between, there were plenty of other holed putts that kept the 14-time major champ's momentum going on his way to a solid 71. It's the main reason why despite just average ball-striking, Woods has himself in the hunt to end his five-year major drought. On the other hand...
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Bogey: Tiger Woods' short-range puttingWhile Woods looked as good as ever holing testers for par, he did something he seemingly never used to do: Miss a couple of gimmes. Twice. Woods missed short putts on No. 4 and No. 8, both times after hitting respectable lags. Those shots will certainly be the first to come to mind if Woods ends up coming short on the weekend at another major. On his way to the first tee on Friday, Woods' quick practice green session consisted of only long lags and 10-footers. Something tells us, he'll hit a few three-footers before Saturday's round.
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Birdie: Lee WestwoodThe Sean Foley magic continues. Or at least that's what we're going with. But considering that he just began working with the instructor and now finds himself in the thick of contention at Muirfield, Westwood must be encouraged by the early returns. A 68 in difficult conditions -- that featured a wind-aided 400-yard drive -- has Westwood in position for his first major title this weekend. Sure, he's been in this spot before. But between his work with Foley, a crucial putting tip from Ian Baker-Finch, and the fact that the wedge-challenged Englishman can putt from off many of these greens, Westwood has reason to think this could be a breakthrough week.
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Bogey: Old Open champsIf Thursday allowed certain players a dose of nostalgia, Friday was a return to reality. Impressive starts by former Open champions Mark O'Meara (67), Tom Lehman (68) and Todd Hamilton (69) were followed by the three playing the second round in a combined 23-over par. Fortunately for them, they weren't the only ones who struggled, and all managed to sneak into the weekend.
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Birdie: MuirfieldThe griping from some players was inevitable considering the firm, dusty conditions AND the fact that they played Friday into a completely different wind than the day before. Nonetheless, a golf course that has historically produced an elite champion looks poised to deliver yet again, with the mix of players in contention ranging from multiple major champions to those who've stood on the precipice for some time.
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Bogey: Billy HorschelNothing's been the same since those octopus pants. Remember, it was Horschel who made a spirited run at the U.S. Open, hitting 18 greens in regulation on Friday and eventually finishing T-4 in those curious print pants. Since then, the player who rattled off five top 10s in eight events -- including a win at the Zurich Classic -- has cooled off. At the Open, he planned to make another fashion statement by playing in a blazer and tieon Sunday. He might still go with that look, but after missing the cut at 11 over, it won't be anywhere near Muirfield.
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Birdie: Angel CabreraAt some point we need to stop being surprised when we see this guy in contention. Two major titles and a playoff loss to Adam Scott in this year's Masters make Cabrera arguably the most dangerous player on the Open leader board -- and that's including Tiger Woods. Worth noting: each of Cabrera's first two majors -- the 2007 U.S. Open at Oakmont and the 2009 Masters -- were on greens as slick as the ones players are putting this week at Muirfield.
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Bogey: Zach JohnsonAmazingly, Johnson's first-round 66 gave him the day's end lead at a major for the first time since his 2007 Masters win. He did not handle it well. Bogeys at Nos. 1 and 18 bookended a wild 75 that also included a double bogey on No. 15 after he had regained the lead. Johnson has been more agressive than most in using his driver off the tee, but that's only resulted in him hitting 57 percent of the fairways through 36 holes. Perhaps it's time to re-think that strategy...
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Birdie: Charl SchwartzelA disappointing first-round 75 included a snapped 6-iron when the South African threw it off the ground in frustration on the 15th hole. But as other players struggled on Friday, Schwartzel matched the low round of the day with a 68. He may not be on the first page of the leader board, but no matter. In his lone major win at the 2011 Masters, Schwartzel began the weekend T-12 and six shots off the pace. He should have plenty of holes this weekend to make a move -- provided he keeps all his clubs intact.
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