Vijay Singh seems to have overcome his phobia about putting on the slick surfaces at Augusta National.
Two years removed from missing the Masters cut - breaking his string of 53 straight cuts made on the PGA Tour - Singh shot a 5-under 67 on Friday to finish one shot behind David Duval. He's tied with Ernie Els and Phil Mickelson for second place.
``I've been negative about my putting, but these last two years I've changed my attitude about the greens and I've tried enjoying putting more than hating it, and that tells me how to putt these greens,'' Singh, a native of Fiji, said.
The 1998 PGA winner had his putter working on the front nine Friday, making five birdies against one bogey to make the turn in 32. He played the back 1-under, breaking his previous low round at the Masters by two shots.
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Audio
•Vijay
Singh notices the greens are softer
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•Second
round interview with Vijay Singh
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Singh goes back to the missed cut as being the impetus for changing his attitude. That and some encouragement from his wife.
``I think the first five times (at the Masters) I probably three-putted 15 times in the whole tournament, and that kind of doesn't leave a good taste in your mouth when you leave,'' he said. ``I know I missed the cut here two years ago, and I was really disappointed. I talked to people about it, especially my wife, and she said you can not come over here thinking you will putt bad. You've got to come here very positive with what you're going to do.''
Like Singh, Els is a long hitter who has not fulfilled his promise at Augusta National.
But Friday, he birdied three of the last four holes to shoot a 67.
``I think this year I've been a little bit more low key,'' the South African said. ``In the past I struggled to hit some of the tee shots here and haven't put myself in position.''
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Ernie Els compares notes with caddie Neil Wallace before teeing off on the 12th hole. On Friday, Els birdied three of the last four holes to shoot 67, putting him tied for second with Phil Mickelson and Vijay Singh.Jonathan Ernst/Chronicle Staff
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Els could have the lead to himself had it not been for a double-bogey 7 on Thursday at the par-5 15th. A rules official, John Paramor from Surrey, England, started timing Els' group, and he felt as if he rushed his approach to the 15th.
``I was pretty hacked after the 18th hole yesterday and probably said some things I shouldn't have said,'' Els said. ``I spoke to the official afterward on the practice range and we cleared some of the air.''
Els and Singh both made bogeys on the par-5 13th, but were able to recover on the closing holes.
``I got a really bad break on 13,'' said Els, who had 176 yards to the pin. ``I was trying to hit a big 7-iron.''
The ball wa inches from landing on the green and setting up a possible eagle for Els. However, the ball bounced into the Rae's Creek tributary. Els ralled to play the last five holes 3-under.
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•Ernie
Els enjoys the perfect day
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•Second
round interview with Ernie Els
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Singh, meanwhile, made bogey after dunking his 8-iron approach to the 13th in the same tributary. He recovered to play his last five holes 2-under.
One thing Els and Singh have in their favor heading to the weekend is the fact that they've won majors. Duval and Mickelson are still searching for a breakthrough in golf's showcase events.
``Phil's been a professional six or seven years and obviously a great player. It's just a matter of time before he wins his first major,'' Els said. ``And the same goes for David Duval. Both of those are tough competitors and great for the game.''
Singh pleased with putting
