If this is Jack Nicklaus' final Masters Tournament, at least there's one positive note.

He will play once more on the weekend.

Because of weather delays, Nicklaus will finish the last 17 holes of his second round at 8:30 this morning. He stands at 6-over through 19 holes - one shot off the current cut line - and he'll resume play from the No. 11 fairway.

"It's been great (playing with Nicklaus)," playing partner Jay Haas said. "And knowing that this may be his last one and the people have been great; I'm just fortunate to be in the group. He's just great. We've had some great conversations out there. I think that what's going on in his life lately, he seems very much at peace out there. I think (Nicklaus playing in the Masters) was a big part of therapy for he and his family."

Nicklaus, playing in his first event since the death of his 17-month-old grandson, Jake, returned Friday morning to finish the final six holes of his first round. The Golden Bear drained a long birdie putt on No. 16 as he closed out his round of 77.

He began his second 18 just before the early afternoon rains came again.

Nicklaus bogeyed the 495-yard 10th hole for the second straight day. At the par-4 11th, he hit a 3-iron layup in front of the green. He chose an iron over a fairway wood to keep the ball in play, because of the mud on his ball.

"I never played golf that way," he said about the safe play on the hole. "I've always been a competitive golfer. I've always been a competitive athlete. When you can't compete, it's tough."

Nicklaus is not the only member of the AARP club having trouble keeping up with the youngsters at Augusta National Golf Club. Past Masters champions Charles Coody and Gary Player are tied for last at 19-over. Tommy Aaron (12-over) stands alone in 87th place, while Fuzzy Zoeller (13-over) is tied for 88th.

Some over-50 golfers, however, are bidding to extend their stays. Craig Stadler, the 2004 Champions Tour top money winner, is two shots under the cut line, tied for 43rd at 3-over through the first round. Haas, the 51-year-old who continues to compete on the PGA Tour with players half his age, is tied for 50th (4-over) through 19 holes.

Two-time Masters champion Ben Crenshaw is tied with 1976 winner Raymond Floyd at 5-over (56th place), both just beginning their second round. Two-time Masters champion Tom Watson, who has played 27 holes, is tied with Nicklaus.

Some of these golfers might make it to Sunday. Most will not. Nicklaus sounds as if he will fall into the latter group.

"I'm a little better with a fly rod now than with my golf clubs," he said.

Nicklaus looks forward to a tournament he feels he can be a factor in: his final British Open in July at St. Andrews in Fife, Scotland.

"I have a chance to compete at St. Andrews," he said. "Unless they've done something weird to it. I should be able to compete."

Staff Writer Jonathan Heeter contributed to this article.

Reach Chris Gay at (706) 823-3645 or chris.gay@augustachronicle.com