Justin Thomas doesn't quit, is back in Masters hunt

After a disappointing 74 in the opening round of the 82nd Masters Tournament, Justin Thomas arrived hours before his 1:38 p.m. starting time Friday, searching for his putting touch.

Despite what he described as a poor session on the practice green, the extra practice paid off with his lowest score in 10 rounds at the Masters.

Thomas needed only 23 putts – 10 fewer than Thursday – firing a 5-under-par 67 that vaulted him into a tie for sixth.

“It was a solid day,” Thomas said. “I went back to just trying to hit line and speed which is what you have to do around here. I drove it well again and hit more quality irons than (Thursday).”

PHOTOS: Second round at the Masters Tournament

Stewing Thursday night over his poor final six holes of the round, Thomas reminded himself that good buddy Jordan Spieth opened with 75 in last year’s Masters, then fought back to earn a spot in the next-to-last pairing on Sunday.

Thomas said his growing experience at Augusta National helped him rebound.

“It helps a lot just because you have to be so patient around here,” he said. “I don’t feel like I got impatient (in the first round), but I felt like I’m better than that and how I finished yesterday.”

He marched into position to follow Spieth’s comeback path by playing the par-5s in 3-under and making birdies on Nos. 4 and 6, the rigorous par 3s on Augusta National’s front nine. Both holes rank in the top five in difficulty this week, though Thomas laced a 4-iron within six feet of the cup on the 240-yard fourth, describing it as his best shot of the day.

The reigning FedEx Cup champion is ranked No. 2 in the world. He’s hit 24 of 36 greens through two rounds and avoided a three-putt in the second round.