Masters 2024: Tiger Woods eyes Jack Nicklaus' record six green jackets at Augusta National

Tiger Woods insists he can equal Jack Nicklaus' record six Masters wins after making his 24th consecutive cut at Augusta National.

The 15-time major champion has a seven-shot lead at the halfway stage after opening with a one-over 72.

Fellow Americans Scottie Scheffler, Max Homa and Bryson DeChambeau are tied for the lead at six under at 48.

“It means I have a chance to win the golf tournament. Anyone who makes the weekend has a chance,” Woods said.

Woods came back from six shots back to win his fourth green jacket in 2005, but before that he had endured a catalog of injuries that meant his body was “hurting every day” – and the then-43-year-old shocked many by winning. Fifth degree in 2019.

He's since undergone more surgeries, mainly to repair foot and ankle injuries sustained in a 2021 car accident, raising questions about whether Woods will ever play professional golf again.

That strong body was evident when he had to play 23 holes on Friday — five to complete his first round after storms cut short Thursday's opening day, and 18 in the second.

But he battled sluggish conditions to keep himself in the hunt for a 16th major.

He laughed when he said Fred was contacting Couples to “give him a little needle” about leaving 1992 Masters winner and three-time champion Gary Player.

Woods is joint 22nd and knows history is against him, with only one of the last 28 Masters champions outside the top 10 at this point – South Africa's Charles Schwartzell, who was six back when he won in 2011.

Earlier in the week, Woods said he was capable of winning “if everything comes together” and has put together two solid rounds of golf so far. Now he needs something spectacular if he's going to match Nicklaus.

Rory McIlroy and defending champion John Rahm also need great weekends, but they too refused to admit defeat – despite holding 10 and 11 shot leads respectively – and talked up their chances of pulling off highly unlikely comeback victories.

World number two McIlroy, who shot a five-over 77 to fall four over, pointed out: “I won from 10 in Dubai earlier this year, but obviously the Dubai Desert Classic and the Masters are two different golf tournaments.

“We'll see. Hopefully the conditions will be a little better. I think I can go out and shoot a little more, get back into the red numbers, and have about half a chance going into Sunday.”

Meanwhile, Spaniard Rahm needed birdies on the 15th and 16th holes to help extend his streak of making 18 consecutive cuts in majors – the longest by an active player. He carded a five-over 76, one shot short of the cut mark.

He accepted that he needed a “very, very low weekend” to stand any chance.

However, he added: “I've made the cut and have two rounds to make 12 shots. I feel I've done it before – if the conditions weren't so easy. [on Saturday]Maybe I'm motivated to succeed.

“[I have to] Get as close to equal as possible and see how the leaders behave. It all depends on them. But it's going to take a lot out of me.”

Those leaders are world number one and 2022 Masters champion Scheffler and major winner Deschamps and contrasting figures in Homma.

Homa is in relatively unfamiliar territory, whereas DeChambeau has claimed the 2020 US Open and Scheffler enters the week as the favorite since Woods in 2013.

Scheffler looked classy on Thursday, carding a bogey-free 66 to sit one behind overnight leader DeChambeau. Both players displayed champion qualities on Friday, as winds gusted to 45 mph at points.

After his level-par 72, Scheffler said: “I like being on the leaderboard. I feel like my game is in a good place.

“I think the wind will blow [on Saturday] But not nearly as much [as Friday]. We'll see a few more birds, but I'll stay in my own little world and try and make it happen.”