Jason Sobel

  (10:02 AM)

Lots of things going on already at Augusta National today. Chad Campbell just made birdie to move to 8-under, staying one ahead of Hunter Mahan. Let's get going ...

Anthony Augusta,GA

Tiger will make a big move today I predict a 67/68.

Jason Sobel

  (10:06 AM)

Certainly not out of the question. He's gotta love playing in today's morning wave, which should have the better scoring conditions. And really, he wasn't far off from 67 or 68 yesterday, just a few missteps on the last few holes kept him from getting there.

taro bapp, Pittsburgh,PA

Why only 3 hours of coverage on thurday and Friday??? Do they not want people to be excited about golf??

Jason Sobel

  (10:07 AM)

There's always been a "less is more" philosophy at Augusta National. This isn't ESPN's call, as many e-mailers have insinuated to me the past few days. That said, you can watch extended online coverage throughout, which is much, much better than just a few years ago.

Aaron (Detroit, MI)

Jason, as of now, there are 2 amatuers above the projected cut line (Newman and Danny Lee) with Reinier Saxton one stroke back. Do you think we will be seeing any of these guys around for the weekend?

Jason Sobel

  (10:09 AM)

Such a tough call. That projected cut line will move all over the place by the end of the round, so I wouldn't place too much stock in that. If any of them are to make the cut, I'd say Lee has the best chance. The reigning U.S. Amateur champ has already won a Euro Tour event this year.

Chris in Philly

Has the wind picked up at all this morning because that might be the one thing that sends scores higher today...

Jason Sobel

  (10:10 AM)

More wind than yesterday, when there was absolutely none at all. Maybe a 5-10 mph breeze right now, nothing that will affect play too much. But expect that to only worsen as we get into the afternoon.

Dave (Garfield Heights, Ohio)

Could you please not mention Greg Norman at all once you get back to the blog? I'm a huge fan and pulling for him to play into the weekend, but I'm afraid you'll put the Blog Jinx on him. I'll compensate you by reading the blog all day and totally ignoring my work.

Jason Sobel

  (10:11 AM)

Look, I understand the power of the Blog Jinx, but when a guy misses a 3-footer for birdie on the final hole, don't blame me. That's his problem. And if Norman gets into contention, you'd better believe I'll be mentioning him in the blog.

Mike (Chicago,IL)

Letting the work pile up!

Jason Sobel

  (10:12 AM)

There ya go! I suggest everyone else does the same. OK, thanks for the questions. Back to the blog ...

Jason Sobel

  (12:01 PM)

And here I am. Let's go...

Mark (Chicag)

BTW...do you know there's a guy playing who's -3 and going for this 3rd major in a row?

Jason Sobel

  (12:02 PM)

Shhhh! Don't you know Padraig Harrington is under-the-radar? That means we're not supposed to talk about him! Kidding...he's playing very well -- definitely a contender, but still almost two hours away from teeing off.

Ben (philly)

I am watching the Amen corner video and the wind seems to have really picked up. I see chad at -10, do you see the winning score lower than -8 or so?

Jason Sobel

  (12:03 PM)

Wouldn't be surprised if today's leading score is 8-under, but the next two days are supposed to be perfect, like yesterday, so I still think 11- or 12-under will win here.

Steve (Bridgewater, NJ)

Jason, I asked you yesterday and you were right in saying Tiger would shoot 70. What do you think he will post today?

Jason Sobel

  (12:04 PM)

Man, with the wind becoming more of a factor, it's tough to say, but I'll go with a 69 today - one better than yesterday. Would put him at 5-under and very much in contention.

victormonroe,la

jason this question is for you do you think tiger woods will get his number 1 ranking back?

Jason Sobel

  (12:05 PM)

Back? He still has it. Only way he could lose it this week is if Mickelson wins and TW finishes worse than second.

Joanne (state college)

Jason, did i hear it right here. Are the expecting rain today? would that effect tee times?

Jason Sobel

  (12:06 PM)

We are expecting some t-storms later this afternoon. Won't affect tee times, but could cause a weather delay that may leave the second round to be completed tomorrow morning. And in turn, I suppose that could affect tomorrow's tee times.

Jason Sobel

  (12:07 PM)

OK, thanks again. Back to the blog...

Jason Sobel

  (2:02 PM)

Let's get to some questions ...

Dan (Hartford, CT)

Hey Jason how do you sneak your mobile/laptop on the course to liveblog?

Jason Sobel

  (2:03 PM)

In the media center. Even players aren't allowed to have phones on the course at Augusta National. For some reason, they didn't make an exception for me, either.

Brian Charlotte, NC

Phil Mickelson gonna go low today or take himself out of it?

Jason Sobel

  (2:05 PM)

Thought he was gonna go low, but I hear he's already in trouble on No. 1. And he's wearing some "really awful trousers," according to one observer.

Mike (Pittsburgh, PA)

Have you ever played Augusta? If so how did you do?

Jason Sobel

  (2:06 PM)

I have. Day after the '05 Masters. Hit the ball as badly as I ever have. Not easy to go from seven days hunched over a laptop to a 7:30 am tee time. Had a blast, but the scorecard was a mess.

Steve (Olean, NY)

With 13 career tour wins, is Kenny Perry officially the BPNTWAM? (Best Player Never to Win a Major)

Jason Sobel

  (2:08 PM)

Nah, I don't think he's in the conversation, really. A lot of those wins have come against pretty weak fields. That's a weird label right now -- most BPNTWAM candidates are young guys who just haven't gotten there yet. I'd put Sergio at the top of the list.

Taylor (Little Rock)

Do you think that Tiger's intimidation factor will play a big role with guys like Chad Campbell?

Jason Sobel

  (2:09 PM)

For the 100th time, there is no intimidation factor. Guys lose to TW because of two reasons -- they try too hard and he's better than them. But intimidation? No way.

James (Fort Worth, TX)

You mention AK in your blog, he's 2 under par at the time. Now he's 1 over. Why? Why must you?

Jason Sobel

  (2:10 PM)

Love when people get mad at me for mentioning players and then jinxing them. Should I refrain from talking about any players on the course? Would make for a pretty boring Masters blog, don't you think?

Jason Sobel

  (2:10 PM)

OK, thanks for the questions. Back to the blog ...

Jason Sobel

  (4:01 PM)

Quick hitter. Let's go for five minutes here, then back to the blog ...

Deb Catalano Selinsgrove, Pa

Who is in charge of this pitiful coverage of the Masters? There are other golfers besides Tiger and NO PLACE ELSE TO WATCH THEM!!! Show some of the tournament. I hope you aren't lucky enough to be carrying the tournament next year. I'm usually a fan of ESPN, but this coverage is the WORST!

Jason Sobel

  (4:03 PM)

Not sure how many times I can say this, folks -- and it's not just me giving the company line or anything; this was the case before ESPN ever had the Masters: It's the ANGC's call. Has nothing to do with the network not wanting to show more golf. There's always been a "less is more" philosophy. Again, wasn't that long ago that we couldn't even watch the front nine on TV. Or had any online coverage. But I wouldn't bet on there being full-day TV coverage anytime soon. That's not what the club wants and if they don't want it, it won't happen.

Kevin, RedSox Nation

Hey Jason, any update on the weather? Those showers coming to fruition or is it just dry and windy?

Jason Sobel

  (4:05 PM)

Looks like it may miss us. It's kind of overcast, but the wind never really got blowing like suspected, so hopefully everything will hold off and we'll be OK.

Cory (Avon, CT)

Is Rory McIlroy's name too similar to Roy McAvoy? Is McIlroy destined to be a great young player then end up owning a run down driving range only to come back and throw away a win at the US Open 15 years from now? Is he inherently name jinxed?

Jason Sobel

  (4:10 PM)

Shoutout to my hometown of Avon. But... no, he doesn't have the worst of it. There's actually a dude on the Euro Tour named Richard McEvoy. That's much worse.

Ben Curtis, #14

Hmmmm....wonder if I could get some side money for a bogey that let's all those at +2 into the weekend....

Jason Sobel

  (4:10 PM)

Seriously, that cutline is going to be bouncing up and down a little bit for the next few hours.

Lily, Nebraska

What one thing - amazing play or very poor play - from which player surprises you the most so far?

Jason Sobel

  (4:12 PM)

Wow, there are so many things ... I know I should never doubt Vijay Singh, but his record since knee surgery the past few months has been so awful that I didn't expect much. Right now, though, he's very much in contention at 4-under with nine more holes to play today.

ken

What is the biggest weakness, and best strength you have observed in Tiger's game this week?

Jason Sobel

  (4:12 PM)

Well, he's hitting the ball pretty well, but hit putting has been below average. And I think he'd be the first one to admit it. Just gave another one back on 18 to shoot 72 and finish at 2-under.

Jason Sobel

  (4:13 PM)

OK, that's all for the chat today. Back to the blog...