Masters 2018 Tee Times: Pairings and Predictions for Saturday

Patrick Reed and Marc Leishman have put their signature on the 2018 Masters, and those two will try to remain at the top of the leaderboard on moving day of golf's first major of the year.

Reed put his stamp on the second round in Augusta, Georgia, by opening up with three consecutive birdies, and he soon moved into the lead.

The 27-year-old cemented his status throughout the front nine, as he finished that part of his day with a five-under 31. Reed ended Round 2 with a remarkable six-under 66 and is in first place at nine-under par.

Leishman was also on top of his game, as he recorded just one bogey while shooting a five-under-par score of 67 that included a spectacular eagle on the 15th. He is two strokes behind Reed. 

The Australian said he is not planning to worry about Reed or the other competitors and will focus on his own game.

"That's all I can do," he told ESPN's Scott Van Pelt. "I can't think about the weather or the other golfers. The only thing I can control is my own game."

While those two had their way with Augusta National during Friday's round, Spieth had big problems, especially early on. He started with a double bogey and a bogey on the first two holes, and while he was able to steady himself, his two-over 74 was a disappointment, considering his razor-sharp 66 in the first.

Spieth is four-under for the tournament, and so is Rory McIlroy. The Northern Irishman shot a 71 after opening the tournament with a 69. Here's a link to the full scoreboard.

Eric Gay/Associated Press

Dustin Johnson picked up his game after his ordinary opening round. He fired a four-under 68, and his power came into play throughout the round. Johnson's inconsistency in the first was not on display in the second, as he grew more confident with each hole he played.

Johnson was one of the favorites going into the Masters, and so was Justin Thomas. He rebounded beautifully from his opening round of two-over 74 with a sharp score of 67.

If Reed can't maintain the form he displayed in the second round, it would not be a surprise if Johnson and Thomas made a move on the lead on Saturday.

The second round did not go well for Tiger Woods or Phil Mickelson. Woods was erratic with his iron play for much of the round, and once he steadied that part of his game, he was unable to convert a couple of birdie putts on the back nine. Woods shot three-over par, and he is four-over for the tournament. 

"I hit so many beautiful putts, and nothing went in for me," Woods told Tom Rinaldi on the ESPN broadcast. "I'm going to have to shoot a special weekend and I need help. I'm no longer in control of my own destiny. I'm going to need to be in the mid-60s and then do it again."

That left him inside the five-over cut line, but his play in the first two rounds was disappointing. The same holds true for Mickelson, who blew up with a 79. Since he was two-under at the start of the round, he just made it to five-over par and will be able to play on the weekend.

Saturday's Pairings and Tee Times (h/t Masters.com):

(All times ET)

1 p.m.—Zach Johnson, Hideki Matsuyama
1:10 p.m.—Bernd Wiesberger, Jimmy Walker
1:20 p.m.—Matt Kuchar, Jon Rahm
1:30 p.m.—Charley Hoffman, Cameron Smith
1:40 p.m.—Justin Rose, Bubba Watson
1:50 p.m.—Rickie Fowler, Louis Oosthuizen
2 p.m.—Justin Thomas, Tony Finau
2:10 p.m.—Jordan Spieth, Dustin Johnson
2:20 p.m.—Henrik Stenson, Rory McIlroy
2:30 p.m.—Patrick Reed, Marc Leishman

Predictions

Reed is a talented golfer who is not going to fall apart just because he sleeps on the lead Friday night. He has been waiting for an opportunity to show off his skills at a major tournament, and he should be able to maintain solid play.

However, it's unlikely that he can match his second-round performance. An even-par showing may allow him to remain at the top of the leaderboard on moving day.

Leishman has played well throughout his career at the Masters, and he should be able to continue his impressive play by taking what Augusta National gives him and breaking par once again.

However, golf fans need to keep their eyes on McIlroy and Spieth. Those two are capable of putting together scintillating rounds and joining the leaders.

The same holds for Henrik Stenson, Johnson and Thomas. These three may be the most talented golfers in the field, and they all could dominate on moving day. If they can get within two or three strokes of the lead,, any one of them could be the player to beat on Sunday.