By Evin Priest
Augusta: At the age of 47, Rod Pampling knows the 2017 Masters could be his last but the veteran Australian golfer is happy to be back at Augusta National after a decade-long drought.
Pampling declared his own early mark at the year's first major, believing his eight-over-par total may not be enough to book a weekend berth.
He shot a second round of six-over 78 on another windy day in Georgia to flirt with the wrong side of the halfway cut, which is currently projected at seven- over but that could change with play still under way on day two.
Playing his first Masters since 2007, the Caboolture product says he has limited chances of returning for a shot at the coveted green jacket.
Rod Pampling plays out of the bunker on second hole during his first round of the 2017 Masters.Credit: Getty Images
Prior to this week, three-time US PGA Tour winner Pampling had a top-five and a top-20 in three consecutive Masters appearances from 2005.
"At 47, you hope to be back again but realistically, probably not ," said Pampling.
"Unfortunately, I think I'm out; I don't hold my chances and it's disappointing. You want to play well the golf course well but (Friday) was an extremely difficult day."
But the spirited Pampling isn't ruling out a return.
"Hopefully I can manage to do something that will manage to get me back in the next couple years," he said.
Pampling, who secured his ticket to the Masters courtesy of his first US PGA Tour win in 10 years in Las Vegas last year, says he will stay around the famed Georgia course to soak up the atmosphere with his family, who are in town for the week.
"The only thing we'll miss out on is the weekend, but I'll stay here and I may have to spectate," said Pampling.
With his coach also present at the Masters, Pampling will also use the predicted spare time to prepare for his next event – the RBC Heritage at the famed Harbour Town Golf Links in South Carolina.
AAP