Fantastic final two days in store at Augusta

Fred Couples is tied for the lead after the second round of the US Masters, 20 years after his victory at the iconic venue. Tiger Woods lost his head and his way, shooting a three over par 75, falling eight shots behind the leaders. 

52-year-old Couples shot a wonderful five under par 67, joining fellow American Jason Dufner at the top the leaderboard in the first major of the year. Couples has mentioned several times that Augusta National is his favourite track, so it would be foolish to not take his charge seriously. Even at the ripe old age of 52, don’t be surprised if his lazy swing strikes green on Sunday.

US Open champion Rory McIlroy is jammed in a group of five players at 4 under; his second round 69 showed signs that he is ready to make amends for the catastrophic crumble in 2011.

Day one leader Lee Westwood, Sergio Garcia, Bubba Watson and Louis Oosthuizen are all perched on four under. Westwood was leading the tournament as he played the last, but a double-bogey put pay to that. Sergio Garcia shot a solid 68; but, we have been here before with the mercurial Spaniard, so don’t get too excited if you have backed El Nino to win. Big hitting Watson had a 71 and Oosthuizen, who boarded the birdie train for three stops in the final five holes to shoot a 72.

Woods had a nightmare round, carding five bogeys and at one point kicked his wedge in frustration after a shocking tee shot at the par three 16th hole.  

Is it too late for Tiger? Not just yet. 

The leaderboard looks perfect for a fantastic weekend of golf, three players tied at three under, and eight players starting Saturday on two under. 

Matt O’Brien

Notable others:

Phil Mickelson         -2

Hunter Mahan         E

Tiger Woods           +3

Luke Donald           +4