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After blooper, Wiesberger's a contender

Andrew BothAAP
Austrian Bernd Wiesberger made amends for his first day putting howler wth a round of 66 on Friday.
Camera IconAustrian Bernd Wiesberger made amends for his first day putting howler wth a round of 66 on Friday. Credit: EPA

A day after enduring the blooper of putting from the green straight into a water hazard at slippery Augusta National, Bernd Wiesberger has made amends by not only making birdie at the same hole but also shooting into contention at the Masters.

The strapping Austrian put behind an embarrassing blunder that will be shown on blooper highlights reels for years to come as he carded a six-under-par 66 to charge up the leaderboard on Friday

At the par-five 15th on Thursday, Wiesberger had a super-fast, slick 40-foot downhill eagle putt.

In his excitement, he misjudged the speed and watched on in dismay as the ball trickled past the cup, and went on and on, gathering pace and rolling into the pond guarding the green.

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Though he salvaged a bogey, it was a sobering reminder of the potential hazard lurking around every corner of the famous course, especially when the greens are crisper than the fried chicken sandwiches so popular in these parts.

"I guess it's got to happen to all of us eventually - and it was my moment yesterday," he said ruefully on Friday.

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"It was very glassy out there. I just got a little bit too excited on the putt to have a chance for eagle. It got a little low, and it went..."

Wiesberger was speaking after posting a halfway total of four-under 140, three shots behind clubhouse leader Justin Rose.

Wiesberger, a seven-times European Tour winner, has a solid Masters record, making the cut in all six starts.

The 35-year-old said he would enjoy a glass of wine to relax on Friday night, before turning his attention to the weekend.

"What are we having tonight, red or white?" he asked a friend.

"We'll probably have a bit of both," was the reply.

But on Sunday, Wiesberger will be hoping to get his hands on something that will undoubtedly give him much more satisfaction - something green.

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