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2017 Masters leaderboard update: Sergio Garcia, Charley Hoffman tied for early lead

By The Sports Xchange
Sergio Garcia hits off of the 4th tee box during his second round at the 2017 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Georgia on April 7, 2017. Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI
1 of 9 | Sergio Garcia hits off of the 4th tee box during his second round at the 2017 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Georgia on April 7, 2017. Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI | License Photo

For years, Sergio Garcia has been near the top of everyone's list of best players without a major championship, but after the morning wave finished the second round of the 81st Masters, he found himself on top of the leaderboard.

Garcia birdied the first three holes and two of the last four to shoot 3-under-par 69 on Friday and tie first-round leader Charley Hoffman for the lead as the morning players finished play Friday in more chilly, windy conditions at Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Ga.

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The 40-year-old Hoffman, whose only top-10 finish in a major was a tie for ninth in the 2015 Masters, opened with a 65 and gutted out a second-round 75 to equal Garcia's a 36-hole total of 4-under 140.

Garcia, who has played in 73 majors and finished in the top 10 on 22 occasions without winning, survived a scare on the 10th hole when he hit his tee shot into the trees and had to hit a provisional.

Sergio Garcia celebrates a putt for birdie on the 3rd green during his second round at the 2017 Masters Tournament. Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI
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For a while, there were reports that he made a triple-bogey 7, but he actually found his original ball and salvaged a bogey.

Hoffman increased his overnight lead to five strokes with a birdie on the second hole but stumbled with five bogeys on six holes through No. 13 before salvaging the round by playing the last seven holes in 1-under.

Journeyman William McGirt, playing in his first Masters, posted a 73 with two bogeys down the stretch and was one stroke back in third.

McGirt probably echoed the thoughts of all the early starters when he said: "I'm just glad I don't have any more golf to play today. ... I'm 2-under in my first Masters and can't wait for the better weather on the weekend."

Rickie Fowler, playing in the afternoon, eagled the second hole and birdied the third to tie for third with McGirt after six holes while playing in the afternoon wave.

Ryan Moore carded a bogey-free 69 in the morning and was at 1-under, tied with rookie Jon Rahm (70) of Spain, 2013 Masters champion Adam Scott (9 holes), 1992 Masters winner Fred Couples (7) and three-time Masters champion Phil Mickelson (5).

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