Fields: Watson Impressed By Snedeker's Game

AUGUSTA, Ga. -- Tom Watson, the 58-year-old two-time Masters champion, shot his second consecutive 75 Friday, finishing 36 holes of the Masters at six-over 150. It could have been a bit better if not for a mental lapse on the third green of Augusta National GC when he forgot to replace his marker after moving out of fellow competitor John Senden's line.

"I'm gettting old," Watson said. "Last year I hit the wrong ball by mistake, and today I forgot to move my ball back when I moved the coin for a two-stroke penalty. I'm losing strokes the easy way by doing stupid things."

Watson had a front-row seat for the fine 68 shot by fellow competitor Brandt Snedeker, whose imagination and confidently quick style are somewhat reminiscent of a young Watson. Snedeker, in fact, patterned his game after Watson's.

"He's got a lot of tools, but the imagination is what impresses me," said Watson. "He's got a wonderful imagination, and you have to have that here."

Snedeker's chip-in birdie at the par-3 sixth -- where Snedeker played a shot with his wedge even though his ball was on the green -- definitely caught Watson's eye. "He was dead with the putter in his hand and he knew it," Watson said. "The best he was going to make was 4 or maybe 5 and he chips it in. That's very impressive."

-- Bill Fields