Exhausted Tiger Woods reacts to Masters cut streak record

The 48-year-old came into the first major of the year tied on 23 consecutive Masters cuts made alongside Gary Player and the aforementioned Couples.

But his exploits this week have now seen him pull clear.

Woods said that although he doesn’t play for cuts, there is more of an appreciation for the achievement given all he has been through.

Three years ago Woods was involved in a single vehicle car crash in Los Angeles that was very nearly fatal.

There was a 50 per cent chance his right leg needed to be amputated but somehow he is still here.

“As soon as I’m done with you guys [the media, I am going to] text Freddy and give him a little needle,” he told reporters on Friday evening.

Woods added: “I’ve always loved playing here. I’ve been able to play here since I was 19 years old. It’s one of the honors I don’t take lightly, being able to compete.

“The years I have missed, I wish I was able to play because there’s such an aura and mystique about playing this golf course that I don’t think that — unless you have played and competed here, you probably don’t really appreciate.”

Of his chances this weekend, he said: “I’m right there. I’m only eight back as of right now.

“I don’t think anyone is going to run off and hide right now, but it’s really bunched.

“The way the ball is moving on the greens, chip shots are being blown, it’s all you want in a golf course today.”

The feat will no doubt thrill the living legend, who made a downright laughable 142 consecutive PGA Tour cuts in his pomp.

Woods began his second round with his score at one over par.

After starting the round with two pars, his first birdie arrived on the fourth.

Woods cut a wedge from 91 yards and converted a birdie putt from nine feet.

First Woods was punished for missing the green left at the par-3 fourth before a wayward tee shot at the fifth saw the golfer trying, and failing, to save par from 28 feet.

Then a moment of vintage Woods arrived at the par-3 sixth as he chipped in from nine yards after his tee shot came up short.

A misjudged approach with a seven iron saw him drop another shot at seven before he took advantage of the par-5 eighth.

Woods turned in level par and ground out a further four pars before arriving at the par-4 14th.

Despite finding the fairway, he pulled his approach long and left into the patrons and once again was left with just inside 10 feet to save par.

Woods couldn’t manage to find the middle of the cup but found the green in two superb strikes at the next to set up the easiest of birdies.

Two more pars followed at 16 and 17 before another mistruck iron shot saw him once again scrambling to save par.

Woods tugged his second shot left and was left with a five foot putt to save par.