Zach Johnson misses Masters cut

AUGUSTA, Ga. — Zach Johnson had an incredibly frustrating day at Augusta National during Friday's second round as he shot an 8-over 80 that left him outside the cut line by two strokes.

The tragedy is those two strokes were assessed to Johnson after he finished his day.

On the par 5 No. 13, sitting at 6-over and at the time outside the cut line, Johnson needed to make a move.

He chose to play the hole the way he did when he won in 2008, by laying up and giving himself a comfortable wedge shot into the green.

Playing into a major gust, Johnson landed his wedge about 10 feet left of the hole and the ball spun viciously back to the green's front and eventually off the surface and into the hazard area.

Johnson proceeded to blast out of the spot but grounded his club (in a water hazard) behind the ball — a decision which later caused the tournament to induce a 2-stroke penalty on the veteran.

Johnson was frustrated after the round and politely declined all interviews.

He later expanded on Twitter.

Unfortunate circumstances. Viewing slow video replay, the rules staff, my caddy Damon, and I ALL agreed it was HIGHLY likely I had touchedApril 9, 2016

Unfortunate circumstances. Viewing slow video replay, the rules staff, my caddy Damon, and I ALL agreed it was HIGHLY likely I had touched

— Zach Johnson (@ZachJohnsonPGA)

water on the takeaway of my backswing. Impossible 4 me see in action below my club face, but easier to see on HD video replay. Hard to take.April 9, 2016

water on the takeaway of my backswing. Impossible 4 me see in action below my club face, but easier to see on HD video replay. Hard to take.

— Zach Johnson (@ZachJohnsonPGA)

BUT, I (nor anyone for that matter) could not rest easy knowing I might have had a rules infraction. I'm thankful for the rules staff inApril 9, 2016

BUT, I (nor anyone for that matter) could not rest easy knowing I might have had a rules infraction. I'm thankful for the rules staff in

— Zach Johnson (@ZachJohnsonPGA)

helping me sign for the proper score, even though it stings. Of course, the MANY bogies before the 13th could have lessened the sting. AmpleApril 9, 2016

helping me sign for the proper score, even though it stings. Of course, the MANY bogies before the 13th could have lessened the sting. Ample

— Zach Johnson (@ZachJohnsonPGA)

opportunities 2 make cut and/or get back in contention. Rules are rules. No advantage given but it's a game of integrity. Augusta won today.April 9, 2016

opportunities 2 make cut and/or get back in contention. Rules are rules. No advantage given but it's a game of integrity. Augusta won today.

— Zach Johnson (@ZachJohnsonPGA)

Johnson was in the midst of a four-straight bogey stretch — holes No. 10 to 13 — at the time of his mishap.

It just clearly wasn't his day. Although he confidently struck his drive into the middle of the fairway on the first there was not enough substance in his ball-striking and putting to get himself back above the cut line.

It was a day of swirling winds that caused 1-under par to be the best score of the day.

Johnson was paired with Rickie Fowler and amateur Cheng Jin.

Jin felt fortunate to be in such company with these two American stalwarts.

'It was a great pairing and I enjoyed the 36 holes together with them,' Jin said. 'They are both very nice to me and I learned a few things from them and enjoyed my time watching them.'

So what did the Asia-Pacific Amateur Champion learn from the 2008 champion?

'I could tell (Johnson) was trying to play very consistent out here and I think that's something that maybe everyone should do at Augusta National,' Jin said. 'With the wind at this course today, playing consistent was a huge key. He seems very committed to his game-plan on the golf course.'

It's bittersweet for Johnson to leave a special event in such an strange fashion.

With golf's return to the Olympics later this year and only four spots up for grabs among Americans, performances in majors are going to become even more vital as the year wears on. The positions are determined by official world golf rankings.

Currently Johnson is the sixth-best American in the rankings.

Either way, ESPN analyst and former player Curtis Strange sees so much grit in the just-turned 40-year-old.

'Zach is a special type of player,' Strange said. 'When you're giving up yards off the tee like he is every day and you have the mental capacity to compete with these guys and to win big golf tournaments, that's a special individual.'