Brandt Jobe of Southlake, Texas, is compiling a diary for the 64th Masters Tournament. Jobe, 34, finished tied for 14th in his first Masters appearance, in 1999. By finishing among the top 16, Jobe earned an invitation to the 2000 Masters. He is ranked No. 79 on the latest PGA Tour money list, with $206,864. The former UCLA golfer played the Japanese Tour from 1995, winning six times, until this year, when he joined the PGA Tour. Jobe is sharing his thoughts this week with Staff Writer David Westin.
Oh man, what a day. I shot a 2-over-par 74 Friday, which put me at 3-over-par 147 for 36 holes. At least I made the cut. I'm glad I'll be here for the weekend.
To make the cut is huge. Right now, at 3-over par, if I go and have a couple of solid rounds, I'll have the opportunity to finish in the top 16 and get an invitation back here next year.
I'd love to make this an annual thing. As much as you go crazy out there, you've got to love it. Craig Parry and I were talking about that on No. 17.
We talked about how we were standing on the 16th tee and the wind was going in three different directions and we looked at each other and said, ``What is going on?'' We said this is unbelievable. He said, ``Yeah, but you've got to love it.''
Right now I'm nine shots out of the lead. Just to have the opportunity is the important thing. Every time you're there, you learn something.
After nine holes Friday I was even par and 1-over for the tournament. A couple of birdies, and I'm right in this thing. I was hitting good shots, but I wasn't getting rewarded.
I got bummed out when I hit it in the water on No. 12 and made a double bogey. It was the first time I've done that in two trips here. I've always been on the green before. The wind was really tough to read there. I had a good yardage, but I didn't commit to my 7-iron shot. I made the ultimate sin and got wishy-washy.
I had an interesting putt on No. 17. It was a 7-footer for birdie, but I had no chance. There were spike marks right in my line. When it got on the green, it looked like it was playing pinball. I had perfect greens yesterday, so I can't complain about that.
I'm playing decent. I've got to get it all together. I just haven't done it yet. I basically threw away three shots Friday. It would be nice to be even par for the tournament. But there's no reason why I can't go out and have a good round today.
I saw where Jack Nicklaus shot a 70 Friday. That guy is just phenomenal. I saw him on TV on Thursday. It's like guys like Jack get out here and all of a sudden they're 35 or 40 years old again. They remember the breaks. What he's doing is great for golf. It is really special.
Dennis Paulson, the first-round leader, is a good friend of mine. We usually play our practice rounds together. I called him Thursday night and I said playing with me must have helped. I congratulated him on a great round. It was something to come out in your first time and be leading the Masters.
From looking at the leaderboard, you have to like David Duval. He wants it pretty bad. He's played so much great golf that you've got to figure his time is coming. You can't really say who the favorite is right now, but that 65 Duval shot was a pretty phenomenal round of golf.
Jobe: Top 16 remains in range