AUGUSTA, Ga. — Tiger Woods made the 36-hole cut at the Masters, tying the record for most consecutive cuts made at this famous tournament at 23. Woods has never missed the cut at Augusta National as a professional.

Tiger Woods of the United States reacts to his putt on the 18th green during the continuation of the weather delayed second round of the 2023 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 8, 2023 in Augusta, Ga.© Provided by Toronto Sun

“I’ve always loved this golf course, and I love playing this event,” Woods said after completing his second round on Saturday morning.”Obviously I’ve missed a couple (Masters) with some injuries, but I’ve always wanted to play here. I’ve loved it.”

Woods now shares the record with pal Fred Couples and three-time green jacket winner Gary Player.

It took a little help this week for the aging, chronically injured five-time champion to make it into the final two rounds. With 50 players plus ties making the rain-delayed cut, Woods found himself in 51st place when he finished his second round at three-over par. Justin Thomas and Sungjae Im were both still out on the course at two-over par, Woods would need at least one of the two of them to fall to three-over par. Both Thomas and Im bogeyed the 17th hole to fall to three-over, moving Woods to 49th place. Unfortunately, Woods’ good pal Thomas wasn’t able to enjoy helping his friend. Thomas also bogeyed the 18th to finish at four-over and miss the plus-three cut by a single stroke.

Woods did, in fact, miss the cut once at the Masters, as an amateur in 1996. He returned the following year as a pro to torch the field by a record 12 strokes with his historic win in 1997. That year, Woods became the tournament’s youngest champion, a record he still holds. He is also the Masters second-oldest winner, courtesy of his Return to Glory win in 2019 at age 43. Jack Nicklaus won his final Masters at age 46.

Mackenzie Hughes is the only Canadian to make the cut. He followed a disappointing opening round four-over 76 with a three-under par round of 69, and will head to the third round at one-over par. On the 20th anniversary of his 2003 Masters win, Mike Weir missed the cut by a single stroke. The 52-year-old had some things to say to Postmedia about his tee time.

UPDATE: Making the cut on the number looks likely to be the highlight of the week for 15-time major champion Woods. Looking bundled up for an outdoor skate in the 8C weather, Tiger dropped six shots over his first seven holes in round three and was in last place of the remaining players.