Posted April 11, 2019, 9:11 pm
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Approach shots put Mize in rally mode for Round 2

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Larry Mize waves to the gallery after his putt on the second green during the first round of The Masters Tournament. [MICHAEL HOLAHAN/THE AUGUSTA CHRONICLE]

Larry Mize made only one birdie Thursday en route to an opening round 77 at the Masters Tournament. The 1987 champion made the turn in 1-over before shooting 40 on his second nine.

“Just too many poor shots,” he said. “There was no reason I couldn't have shot around par today. I had a bad drive at No. 11 that put me in a terrible spot and then a really bad 7-iron at 12. Then, on No. 18, when you decide to cut it around the trees, make sure you miss the trees. I didn't miss the them.”

Mize, who hit 12 of 14 fairways, said his iron play let him down. He found only half of Augusta National Golf Club’s greens in regulation.

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“I have to hit my irons better,” he said. “I only hit three greens on the back nine, and you’re not going to do well out here if you can’t hit iron shots.”

Mize was paired with fellow Georgia Tech alumnus Stewart Cink and called it “a blast.”

“It was great to play with Stewart,” Mize said. “It’s been a long time since we’ve played together, but we have that extra connection with Georgia Tech. That’s one thing I really enjoy about coming back here is seeing guys I don't get to see very often.”

Being 11 shots behind the leaders, Mize left no doubt of his goal for Friday.

“I have to shoot under par tomorrow,” he said. “You have to make birdies out here. I only birdied No. 8 today and that’s not good enough. It’s hard to not make bogeys, so if you’re not making any birdies you can’t get any kind of momentum.”

Approach shots put Mize in rally mode for Round 2

From AugustaChronicle.com »

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