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The Masters: Report Card

By John Antonini
Photos by Getty Images

How the top-10 players on the World Ranking entering the Masters fared

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1. Tiger Woods, 2, 283 (-5)
What worked: Tiger hit 50 greens in regulation, sticking plenty of approaches, but he didn't make birdies.What didn't: Notably, his putter, but he also hit too many drives into the pine needles.U.S. Open prospects: Solid. Woods has won the Buick at Torrey Pines six times, including four in a row.
Phil Mickelson, T-5, 286 (-2)
__What worked:__He was pleased with his ball-striking (29 greens hit in rounds one and two) and his chipping.__What didn't:__Like Woods, his putting. "I think I've been neglecting it a little bit," Mickelson said.U.S. Open prospects: It's a home game for Lefty, who has won the Buick three times, but not since 2001.
Ernie Els, MC, 148 (+4)
__What worked:__There was little to take from a week that began with him hiring a new teacher, Butch Harmon.What didn't: Only Søren Hansen and amateur Drew Weaver hit fewer fairways in two rounds than Els (16).U.S. Open prospects: Who knows, but like Mickelson, after he signed with Harmon, will Els win the Players?
Steve Stricker, MC, 150 (+6)
What worked: Believe it or not, he was on the leader board early, with two birdies in his first four holes.What didn't: Like Els, Stricker didn't hit fairways, but this normally solid putter needed 60 in two days.U.S. Open prospects: Usually, he'd be a favorite, but you worry about his accuracy and putting woes.
Geoff Ogilvy, T-39, 296 (+8)
What worked: He had a solid round from start to finish with a tournament-best 54 pars.What didn't: He couldn't get his approaches close to the pin and was hard-pressed to make any long putts.U.S. Open prospects: Torrey hasn't suited him. Ogilvy has three missed cuts and a 67th in four starts.
K.J. Choi, 41, 298 (+10)
What worked: Choi hit 12 fairways and 13 greens Thursday during a week-best 72.__What didn't:__Played the par-5s in one over par, never the way to go about winning a green jacket.U.S. Open prospects: With a spotty record at Torrey Pines (four MCs, no top-10s), he won't be a favorite.
Jim Furyk, T-33, 293 (+5)
What worked: He hit 16 greens during Thursday's 70, making many par-saves after tough two putts.What didn't: Hit just eight greens Sunday, his lowest total of the week, and made seven bogeys.U.S. Open prospects: The '03 champ has never liked Torrey, making only one Buick cut (2008).
Adam Scott, T-25, 292 (+4)
__What worked:__Middle rounds of 71-70 represent his only consecutive subpar rounds at Augusta.What didn't: Is there too much pressure to win a Masters for Australia? Opening rounds in '07, '08: 74, 75.U.S. Open prospects: There isn't much history. He has never played the Buick and has no top-20s at the Open.
Justin Rose, T-36, 295 (+7)
What worked: He led after round one for the third time thanks to hitting 15 greens in regulation.What didn't: Rose needs to avoid the distractions that come with the lead. He shot 78 on day two.U.S. Open prospects: A solid Open player with two top-10s in three tries, he has no prior success at Torrey.
Vijay Singh, T-14, 289 (+1)
What worked: Singh's three rounds at par or better were his best at a major since the 2005 PGA.What didn't: Couldn't convert putts from less than 10 feet, by his count making just one of seven Friday.U.S. Open prospects: He has no top-10s in six tries at Torrey Pines but has seven in 14 U.S. Opens.
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