AUGUSTA – They might as well hang the Green Jacket that goes to the winner of the Masters on a hook from the clubhouse for all to see and let it sway tantalizingly in the swirling Augusta National winds this weekend.
This Masters is that up for grabs.
Pick your pro. Pick your favorite. Pick your long shot or dark horse.
Chad Campbell, the relative unknown from Texas who’s seeking his first major championship title after having the 2003 PGA swiped away from him by a miraculous Shawn Micheel 7-iron on the final hole at Oak Hill, takes a three-shot lead into today’s third round at 6-under-par after shooting an impressive 67 yesterday.
“What Chad did today was remarkable,” said Rocco Mediate, tied for second at 3-under-par. “Nothing is safe here. There are too many bad things out there.”
Just ask Vijay Singh, who looked like he might run away with the tournament early in the round, standing at 7-under-par through three holes. He then doubled Nos. 4 and 5 to fall to 3-under and later fell to 1-under on the back before rebounding strong with late birdies on 15 and 17 to get back to 3-under.
Singh is part of a formidable group sitting prominently in Campbell’s rearview mirror.
Fred Couples, the 1991 Masters winner who’s playing great golf, is also tied at 3-under. Phil Mickelson, the 2004 winner here, Darren Clarke, Tim Clark, Ernie Els and David Howell are all lurking at 2-under. Tiger Woods is well within striking distance at 1-under and is feeling good about the way he’s hitting the ball.
Though he hasn’t won a major yet, don’t figure on Campbell being a pushover on the weekend.
His opponents certainly aren’t counting Campbell out.
“He’s played some great golf in majors, like he did in the 2003 PGA at Oak Hill,” Mickelson said. “He’s won some big tournaments, like Bay Hill and the Tour Championship. He’s just a tremendous player. He’s going to be really tough this weekend, really tough.”
Added Mediate: “He’s one of our better, if not the best, hitter of the ball that we have on tour. That’s what you need here. He obviously did that [yesterday], because you’re not making five or six birdies by not hitting your ball well here. He’s just solid.”
Campbell, who shot one of only three rounds in the 60s yesterday and six through the first two rounds, called it “special to be leading after two rounds,” but quickly added, “Obviously, my goal is to be leading after four rounds.
“This is a special place and a special tournament. Hopefully, I’ll have a good weekend. I don’t think there’s anything to celebrate yet. I haven’t really accomplished much yet. There are still 36 holes left and we’re only halfway through.
“I’m definitely excited. It’s where I want to be.”
Several of Campbell’s pursuers insisted that they, too, are content with their respective position.
“I’m in good position going into the weekend,” Mickelson said. “To be within four shots, to be within striking distance, I’m excited about that and I’m looking forward to the weekend.”
Added Els: “I’ve got a chance. Two-under seems like it’s not too bad. You shoot anything the next two days like I’ve shot the first two days (71-71), you’re going to be very close, I think. So, I’m pleased with that.”
mark.cannizzaro@nypost.com
Second round
leaderboard
score to par
Chad Campbell 71-67 138 -6
Rocco Mediate 68-73 141 -3
Arron Oberholser 69-xx xxx -3
Fred Couples 71-xx xxx -3
Darren Clarke 72-70 142 -2
Phil Mickelson 70-72 142 -2
Ernie Els 71-71 142 -2
Tim Clark 70-72 142 -2
Notables
score to par
Padraig Harrington 73-70 143 -1
Ben Crenshaw 71-72 143 -1
Retief Goosen 70-73 143 -1
Vijay Singh 67-xx xxx -1
Mike Weir 71 73 144 E
Tiger Woods 72 xx xxx E
Davis Love III 74-71 145 1
Sergio Garcia 72-74 146 2
TV/weather
Today
3:30-7 p.m., Ch. 2
70 degrees
Scattered thunderstorms
Winds from the SW at 13 mph
60% chance of rain
Tomorrow
2:30-7 p.m., Ch. 2
70 degrees
Mostly sunny
Winds from the NE at 12 mph
10% chance of rain