Masters - Day Two

Feature post from Matt Dodd. Follow Matt online via Twitter @mattdodd11 or visit his blog at www.mattdodd.com

Masters – Day Two

52-year-old Fred Couples and Jason Dufner were the leaders after a fascinating second day at Augusta.

The American veteran, who won the Masters 20 years ago, defied the odds to shoot 67 and join countryman Dufner (70) on five-under-par.

Sergio Garcia, Louis Oosthizen, Bubba Watson are a shot behind, also tied with well-fancied pair Rory McIlroy and Lee Westwood.

World number one Luke Donald had another frustrating afternoon, nearly missing the cut, but carded 73 to place him nine shots behind the leaders.

Tiger Woods failed to impress again and is three-over, but all the plaudits must go to 1992 Masters Champion Couples for rolling back the years.

The Leaders

Despite a bogey from the bunker on his last hole, Jason Dufner finds himself at the top of the leaderboard, with Fred Couples.

Dufner, still without a major to his name, is still confident that he can perform at the big stage.

“I had some really nice rounds at the PGA,” he said. “Didn’t quite work out, but carried over into this year. It gave me confidence that I can compete and play at a high level out here and do really nice things.”

But it was Couples who stole the show, shooting a fantastic 67, proving that the American has still got it in his locker.

He said: "You know, I've said it for 28 years, this is my favourite golf tournament in the world.

"The game plan was not try to do a whole lot of crazy things, just hit the ball solid, and I ended up shooting a lot lower than I thought. Five under was an incredible round."

McIlroy roaring

Rory McIlroy, who is 30 years younger than Couples, hit a solid three-under-par to remain right behind the two leaders.

The Ulsterman famously collapsed on the final round at Augusta last year, but has put himself in a dangerous position going into this weekend.

"I drove the ball better. That was the big thing," he said.

"I think the whole round on Thursday was important to me; to not let the start get to me, and those two birdies at the end really gave me some momentum going into [today]. And to sort of stay patient and hang in there, I felt like I did that pretty well."

Bad day at the office

14-time major winner Tiger Woods started brightly on the second day at Augusta but could only shoot a disappointing 75.

He carded five expensive bogeys which have left the American eight shots behind the leading pair.

Woods seemed to struggle with a variety of aspects of his game, and said: “"I tried to give everything I had on every shot and tried to stay focused.

"I was grinding hard out there. I didn't quite have it with my swing and I had to hang in there and be patient."