David Gossett's second round of Masters Tournament competition started ominously on Friday but a mid-round surge earned him low amateur status and a weekend of play at Augusta National.
After a double bogey on the par-5 second hole on Friday, Gossett was 5-over for the tournament and seemingly headed for a quick return to the University of Texas. However, the Germantown, Tenn., native rallied with birdies on Nos. 7, 13 and 15 to become the only one of six amateurs to make the cut.
Gossett's rally resulted in a 1-under-par 71 and a 2-over-par 146 total for two rounds.
``I'm pleased to be the low amateur in one of the premiere tournaments in the world,'' said Gossett, the 1999 U.S. Amateur champion. ``It's a great barometer of where my game is.''
British Amateur champion Graeme Storm (159), international invitee Aaron Baddeley (149), U.S. Amateur runnerup Sung Yoon Kim (150), Publinx champion Hunter Haas (153) and Mid-Amateur winner Danny Green (149) were the other amateurs in the field. Green and highly-touted Baddeley missed the cut by one stroke at 5-over par.
By aggressively attacking the two par-5s on the back nine, Gossett extended his stay at Augusta National. He is not satisfied with his current status, however.
``I want to stay focused and not get complacent,'' Gossett said. ``The top 16 get invited back so that's now my goal.''
Gossett rallies to make cut