Amateurs leaving Matsuyama behind

The expression on Hideki Matsuyama's face probably didn't need translation: He will play the weekend at the Masters Tournament. Just in case, Japanese interpreter Masaki Chiba of Augusta was ready for duty.

"I'm tired," Matsuyama said through his interpreter.

The 19-year-old amateur had completed his second round at his first Mastersafter his even-par opening round with a 1-over 73. That was good enough to make the cut, making Matsuyama the only one of six amateurs to do so. His reward for low amateur honors: a silver cup.

"I think I had a hard time because my tee shots were going sideways," Matsuyama said. Still, he managed birdies at Nos. 3, 11 and 16 to lessen the damage from bogeys at Nos. 4, 7, 17 and 18.

"I think I'm doing much better than I expected," he said.

Matsuyama, who is a rising college sophomore in Japan, earned an invitation to the Masters by winning the 2010 Asian Amateur.

One amateur missed the cut for the third time. Nathan Smith, 32, has three U.S. Mid-Amateur titles -- each punching his ticket to Augusta (2004, '10, '11). As he closed out his second round at 8-over, Smith slowed his pace to take in his surroundings.

"It's kind of weird to say maybe this time might be a little more enjoyable because I wasn't really close to the cut, so you're just kind of soaking it all in," said Smith, an investment adviser in Pittsburgh.

Smith said he will cherish playing rounds with Arnold Palmer, Bob Estes, Rory Sabbatini, Mark O'Meara and this week with Craig Stadler and Kevin Streelman.

Oklahoma State junior Peter Uihlein, as the 2010 U.S. Amateur champion, was paired with defending champion Phil Mickelson and Australia's Geoff Ogilvy.

"To be a part of this field is pretty amazing," said Uihlein, 21, who shot 72-77. "It's tough to score out here when you don't hit your irons very good out here. I have a lot to work on," he said.

University of Michigan senior Lion Kim, 22, voiced appreciation for his experience.

"The way these pros interact with fans and just the way they prepare for each round, the demeanor on the golf course, the attitude on the golf course, just you can learn so much," said Kim, the 2010 Amateur Public Links champion.

Kim (4-over) missed the cut, as did David Chung (4-over) of Stanford University and Jin Jeong (6-over) of Korea.