Masters: Tiger Woods’ group is hit by injury as Louis Oosthuizen withdraws and McIlroy shows decency

As the sun began to set on Augusta after a the first two rounds, it also seemed to set on Rory McIlroy’s hopes of a career Grand Slam for another year. 

The Northern Irishman’s game was not at his best as he shot two straight loops of 73 in his first two rounds to finish two over heading into the weekend.

Meanwhile, new world No 1 Scottie Scheffler proved exactly why he deserved his spot at the top of the sport as he shot two under through 12 to climb to the top of the leaderboard. 

However, the headline group was a man down as Louis Oosthuizen was forced to withdraw with injury before teeing off on day two, leaving Tiger Woods and Joaquin Niemann as a two ball. 

Sportsmail takes a look at back at day two of the Masters.

RORY SHOWS FORESIGHT 

Even when his game isn’t at its best, Rory McIlroy can still stand out for the correct reasons. 

On the 11th hole of a frustrating round, he sliced his second shot from the middle of the fairway into the right-hand gallery but had the decency to twice yell ‘fore’. 

Not nearly enough of his colleagues do the same. 

WOODLAND’S STROKE OF LUCK

Not a good week for Gary Woodland, the 2019 US Open champion. But on his way to a second 75 in succession, he did at least deliver the shot of the day at the 10th. 

After a good drive, he left himself 188 yards from the fairway and holed out for eagle. 

He gave both strokes back at the next hole. 

OOSTHUIZEN EXITS EARLY 

If ever a grouping was going to be hit by injury, most would have pointed to the 29th threesome of the second round. 

Alas, while bionic man Tiger Woods strode to the first tee, his playing partner Louis Oosthuizen was gone, withdrawn with injury on four over. 

It ended a run of three straight top-three finishes in majors. 

NO SHEPHERD’S DELIGHT 

Laird Shepherd the British amateur champion, described his place in the Masters as ‘surreal’ earlier in the week. Reality would bite hard. 

The 24-year-old followed an 81 with 85, for a combined 22 over. 

He overcame an eight-shot deficit in the Amateur Championship to qualify but no such recovery here. 

OLD LANGER’S EYE 

Bernhard Langer is done at eight over for his two rounds but give the 64-year-old some credit. 

The German, who was champion at Augusta in 1985 and 1993, hit a superb 27 fairways out of 28 drives — the best in the field and not half bad in windy conditions. 

He lacks distance these days but the old swing is still in its groove. 

ERIK EMBRACES FLOWER POWER 

Erik Van Rooyen of South Africa drew attention in round one because of his excellent moustache. 

In the second round it was his outfit that was the talk of social media, described memorably by one observer, who said he came ‘wearing Amen Corner’ in a rather eye-catching floral shirt.