07/04/2012 Golf: The Masters

He has come within touching distance of a green jacket before

only to have it snatched away by Phil Mickelson two years ago. But

get the Inchcape ready - he may be measuring up beautifully this time.

Well done, why St! I had had a pretty good career and the only

thing missing is a great Championship.

So many stories on the opening day of the Masters, but the most

compelling concerned at Lee Westwood. While some sock too much

of the woods, Lee Westwood failed serenely around Augusta equalling

his best-ever round and going into his best-ever round and going into

day two with a one-shot lead over the field.

The world No. Three had South Africa's champion Louis Oosthuizen

and Peter Hanson close behind, whilst Paul Lawrie was nicely

tucked in behind that group on 3- under it, with Miguel Angel Jimenez,

Francesco Molinari and the Francesco Molinari and the

enigmatic Bubba Watson there, too. So, it is fresher on day two, and a

swirling breeze would represent an altogether tougher proposition on

the course. Let's remind you of the morning.

We had overnight leader at Lee Westwood aiming to remain in cruise

control, with Vijay Singh and Jim Furyk. Phil Mickelson at two all

over said he was fired up to post a hot round on day two to get himself

back into sings. Hunter Mahan and his opponent paused a good round.

Bank with that spectacular double eagle, Paul Lawrie sailed through

again with Anders Hansen. Only once in the last 26 years has

the eventual champion here been ahead or a leader on day one. Lee

ahead or a leader on day one. Lee Westwood aiming to buck that trend.

Let's show you the current state of things.

Lee Westwood very steady, all pars through four holes. Peter Hanson

had a nervous start, left off the tee, hit a tree on his second shot,

all added up to a double bogey. He has dropped out of things. Bubba

Watson still in there after one hole. Ian Poulter has picked up

ground, 2-under. Louis Oosthuizen has also had a difficult time of

things with a double bogey on the second. Let's get boat to the field

and to our commentary team, Wayne Grady, Andrew Cotter, Ken Brown and

Peter Alliss. Do McIlroy at the second,

struggling here. Not far to go, difficult one.

He chops right underneath and it could come round to...

De it may end up not too bad if it goes down the hill. Not bad but it

is an awfully difficult little putt birdie... A touch too firm. What a

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it, well done! I wonder what the McIlroy. That is pretty good, a

Been through the side door, never left-to-right shot with the four

fire. This is a difficult position, inch perfect. Wonderful shot,

par. Well done from the young Alan Bond is his caddy, giving him

so far up the fairway, a monster stop? It stopped too quickly.

Didn't quite hit it right but both parties will four birdies. -- both

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You don't expect him to miss that, but to 1-over. Bid fight back from

expect those but it is lovely when inches, but was in the top of the

long iron shots. Is it going to come back? You will not seek two

better than that in one group today, on the leaderboard in this second

round. Lee Westwood leads the way, 5-under. Ben Crane, he who is

rather slow moving. Lots of famous names, some not quite so famous.

Good European content here, or a non-American content, you might say.

It the windows from the north-east, it is much chillier, much cooler. -

- the wind is from the north-east. Only 44 players who will complete

the final 36 holes, so not many of the field will be pushed away, but

there could be if you get within 10 shots you will be here anyway.

Darren Clarke, 2-over. These are players all on the borderline and

have to keep going, trying not to make any mistakes. Peter Hanson

cleans up his putt here at the fourth.

This is for three birdies in a role Martin Laird at the 18th, 5-over.

Second shot up the hill. He is putting some very good scores

together over the last couple of months, Martin Laird. That is a

beauty. Look at the speed of that. It just drifts to the right. That

four. They are really feeding off each other these two. Phil

It is a very good pas four, the fifth. A horrible green. That is a

wicked pin position. So many shots drift down the bottom and you are

third, he has taken a driver. Got himself a good angle. A tricky putt

a birdie, he is 5-over at the He got his way back late in the

round and has continued good play this morning.

On the 12th, Ian Poulter. A bit strong. It stays there just on the

edge of the path but that is a nasty little chip back.

The that is for 4-under par. Tied pushed it up the hill. That has

12th. This is for par -- par to remain in the red figures. Nicely

it up on the green from an awkward spot, and that is a superb shot.

He will remain 5-under. Even par today, though, will not be a bad

That was a cheeky one. That could be the shot of the day. They are

all laughing hysterically. I am sure we will see him smiling. Yes.

positions on this green. It always takes a long time for the ball to

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par. -- for Ian colder. The crowd He won back in 1992. Very much a

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couple of weeks ago he was on the Champions Tour. He had a good week

last week in Huston. He is in fine under. -- Rory McIlroy goes to 4-

few players out there are handling the conditions. The cool 20mph

following a rich vein of form in makes up for it, so a couple of

moves to 2-under par. He is starting to regain some of the form

he showed when he won those three Major championships in such a short

been a bad shot if it had landed on the green and rolled down into the

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was 3-over par through five holes Le LEA, a roller coaster ride.

was. I started awful. And then it was just two bogeys on four and

five. From the fifth I made good saves and I finished strongly,

which was nice. HAZEL IRVINE: Aim really get see past and A-level

Let's hear from him. A how tough was it out there? It was tricky.

The temperature dropped by about 30 degrees and that makes the ball

goes lower. This golf course is long at the best of times but to

have the ball going a bit short of today are made it a much longer

golf course. Took us through that shot, out of the bush on 13. It was

very Gigot -- cheeky. It carried the bunker, iron in the Bush, basic

did. I get up there, I have a tiny little gap to pride it through to

get is a much on the green and it comes out and went down, up, turned

right and I kind of hat the chance to knock it in. Let us see that I

Tiger today. More comfortable for him. The four Tyne champion with a

rare birdie there to take him into flag he's only seven of the right

hand side. That is with the three- flag fluttering there. It makes

club selection a little more week about my Ed Balls because a

lot of the fairways are so soft, and picking up a bit of mud,. --

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bushes. His third was a very good had thought. There is a difficult

land it in the fringe... He has done it perfectly. His short game

today has been nothing but spectacular. That is a wonderful

shot. If it flew out onto the green the chances are it could have gone

a four but it drops him back to 1- under. He is still shaking his head

as to what happened with that first Rory McIlroy with a birdie on 15th.

at all for Westwood. A clumsy, unfortunate finish to a good, solid

round. It is a double bogey for Westwood on the last hole. Rather

stumbling back in at the finish. He long way round and having to slice

A disappointing end. The Esk, double wasn't the way to finish at

the last, obviously, but I won't let that spoil what was a good

day's call. I'd hit a lot of putts, just didn't

make anything. Compared to the day, how it was the

course? There was a bit more wind,

obviously, which made it tough and it started to dry out, as well.

Still plenty of positives for the weekend?

Yes, I am in a good position, I Yes, I am in a good position, I

have a chance and I look forward to the rest of the weekend.

Good luck with that. Going along nicely, Bubba Watson,

on the back nine. That is 16, also had a birdie on the other par five.

left bunker. I don't help putt to come in, but very, very good. -- a

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clubhouse at 5-under par. A round of 67. What a great day. That is

exciting, another old stager there, Darren Clarke. What a wonderful

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round. Garcia's second on the 18th, 5-

under par, tied for the lead. Heads, the trees, this to save par. He

That for his bogey. For Eddie, 20 years ago you got the

green jacket, can you do it again? As of Friday night, been 5-under, I

would not think too many guys up there will worry about me, but I

feel I can play this course, I really do. I would like to see a

little bit of wind, because it is an advantage for me if I hit the

ball well. If not, the course will make you look bad. I have not had

many horrible rounds here, I don't plan on it, so I feel like for 36

holes and will give everything I have and see what happens.

The discreet to see you playing so well, good luck for the weekend. --

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under. He has done it. Six players 18th. That should be enough to

do. Come on, breeze. We need some of those curling brushes to make it

would down that slope. -- Gordon. An interesting part here for

A big putt this, for McIlroy. Doubleday at 17, didn't want to do

the same. Good finish for Rory McIlroy, a good round he has put

together. Three birdies on the way out to. On the way home, a bit more

mixed but a very tidy round. It's all, Rory McIlroy can be

pleased with his day's work. He has picked up three shots on the way

around and is in that could -- in that groove. Fred Couples, at 53

years old, he is certainly one for the ages. It would not be the same

without him. Great to see him up there. Charles Howell is an Augusta

resident, the people around here will be very pleased he is

featuring this year. Vijay Singh at 2-under a, Hunter Mahan going on

very regularly, he is the only man on the Tour with two wins so far

this year. A good up and down from Bubba

Watson. 4-under par. Three birdies par on the 17th.

He can. Every putt valuable to keep He can. Every putt valuable to keep

in the red figures. Sergio Garcia, overall you must be

delighted. I played nicely, yes. This morning

it was very cold, quite breezy. I managed to play pretty well, so

that was nice to see. I am just looking forward and hoping I can

keep that same way of playing for the weekend.

You must be confident? Well, my finger feels better, which

is nice. It is still a little sore, but it feels better. I have played

nicely with a sore finger, so I may not want it to feel much better!

I think a green jacket would look lovely with that yellow shirt.

Well, I won't be wearing it. the air. A big-hitting American, 3-

to right, is it going to come round? Can you believe it? What a

wonderful two. News into red figures again, and up and down day

He has done it, terrific round, brilliant on that the 18th, 68 for

Phil Mickelson. A Rory, 69, you must be delighted.

Yes, I am very pleased, anything around there was a good score. I

drove the ball better than yesterday. It resulted in being

able to do attack the pins a bit more and making a few more bidies.

A would you say conditions were tougher today?

Yes, the wind made things tricky, it was gusting and swirling all

over the place. But it was still soft, the course is very receptive

soft, the course is very receptive and if you get your distances

and won back. -- one back. It is getting a very crowded up

there, Louis Oosthuizen, Fred Couples, all of these players in,

obviously. Jimenez going so well, great to see him. Nick Watney has

threatened in the Majors several times in the past and is making his

presence felt, 4-under in that bit of side spend their, but that

belter of a shot. Takes a lot of nerve to fire at that flag with the

wind swirling a boat from high ground onto the green. -- swirling

about. The Jimenez, pretty straight, well

wonderful two days. But in 37, and what a finish. -- out in 37. What a

finish, he must be having a chuckle to himself.

Keegan Bradley, not having a very left -- right to left off that

This is a very awkward pitch. He has played it as well as you could

have done, but he has still gone a blustery breeze blowing across

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failing him again. Today, but 2- going in today but that is a nice

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little free. Only a par. Needs a ball. That is why we have been

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it was unplayable. That was an That is a beauty. Those are the two

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est shots we have seen on the 16th suggesting changes to this green,

because that should have gone in. But it back the way that it was,

because that was a lovely tee shot. But, Tommy, two putts and you are

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at Jimenez. He is a cigar smoking 48-year-old. At the moment he he's

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upstaging Tiger Woods, at the four master. Getting wonderful

of the truly great champions of the game. He will sadly not be here for

the final 36 a stop just fell at last couple of fences. -- final 36.

It he will be back on the old boys circuit soon.

Tom Watson certainly knows what it takes to win a round here, so does

Fred Couples. But it is a whole new experience for Jason Dufner. There

he has been elevated company. The only players who can make an

impression on that at the moment, Miguel Angel Jimenez, and Henrik

Stenson, who has been all over this course in the last couple of days.

And here is Henrik Stenson on the 17th. The third shot clattered into

the trees. It is still looking as on the 15th. This to saving -- this

to save par. It should move to the right, but did not. That is an ugly

this long putt. By Jove, it was a good effort. Come on, don't let it

fall apart at the way it did it on the 15th. He has it back to 4-

over. Something special here it treat -- necked walk -- Nick Watney.

Squinting into the sun. Come down, this could be very good for Nick

Watney. It is going to come to a else here? The back nine has given

him some return to form, but he has just left himself a little tricky

one for birdie. He can laugh about Third shot for A Tiger on the 16th,

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par three. He likes this short of the 18th, a good tee shot. That is

better. It could go down, should go down, must go down. Pop that in and

you will have a very nice supper. Luke Donald left himself this after

firing his second to the back of the green on this par five. He is

sneaking back in. Still a long way back from the leaders, but he was

worried about making the cut at one point.

Tiger Capstone, that is the shot gone. -- taps in. Only two might

people were willing him to hole that if a stop that is a very good

comeback from Stenson. -- willing Tiger Woods, things not going

entirely his way, a long way back, but he lives to fight another day.

Luke Donald, this for hole -- par on the 17th. A tricky little shot.

Just half an inch too far. 4-over, and as long as he doesn't do

anything silly on the last he will fairway wood to get here, he will

have to put through a little bit of Fringe. Gathering pace, as well,

just giving the boil would of encouragement, keep going Tiger,

you can do it, you have plenty of potential, don't let it get you

down. Another eventful day at the Masters

and we have watched plenty of Miguel Angel Jimenez, lots of

thrills and spills from the mechanic, and it all added up to 72

today. He is very much up at 3- today. He is very much up at 3-

under today. Let's hear from them. Describe your day. The it has been

a pleasant day, I have been playing so-so.

I have not been playing as loose as yesterday. I have been hitting it

yesterday. I have been hitting it on the tee shots a little too much.

Of there are any weaknesses in your game, of a star will home in on

them like a heat-seeking missile, and that is what it has done today

for Tiger Woods. It has added up to 3-over par, 75 today. The

3-over par, 75 today. The disgruntled Tiger, let's hear his

thoughts. You know, guys have won this

tournament from five or six back going into the back nine. I need to

cut that down a little bit tomorrow, played a good solid round and cut

that deficit, and we can get off to that deficit, and we can get off to

a good start again on Sunday like I did last year.

Saw, Fred Couples won his 20th Masters, Jason Dufner on his second

leading. As McIlroy and Westwood in that group, soared to his Sergio

Garcia after a brilliant 68. Louis Oosthuizen threatening. A great

brand today from Phil Mickelson, as well. He has put himself firmly in

contention at two - at -- after starting the day at 2-over par.

Henrik Stenson is having a great day. Zach Johnson, 74 from them,

Ian Poulter become another roller- coaster round, but he is level and

only five shots off the pace full stops all, too, one of the form

players of the Year, Hunter Mahan. Ian Woosnam, Darren Clarke, the

Open champion, and Sandy Lyle, not Open champion, and Sandy Lyle, not

one of his better masters campaigns. Ken Brown, what do we make of it

all? What is the potential of a 53- year-old winning at the Masters?

Fred Couples, a remarkable story. He just loves coming to Augusta. He

was the 1992 champion, he has played in 28 Masters, he knows his

way around. He seems to love the course. He still has the ability,

at his age, to hit the ball a long way. He knows the course well and

seems confident on the greens, so maybe he could. The oldest winner

ever was 48, so it would be something of a miracle, but it is

not impossible. And the oldest here, Jack Nicklaus,

very when the elite -- memorably won at 46 years old. What about

McIlroy and Westwood, two and three in the world and very nicely

positioned? McIlroy will be satisfied at how he

has finished, for on a par. Overall he has played very soundly, some

good putts, some have slipped by. Lee Westwood started in the cold

weather this morning, had a few chances and finished with a double

bogey at the last 473. His game has been a superb. He has missed one or

two opportunities, I think he has had around 32 putts around. He has

to find a few 10-12 the drugs. fine Millie, danger men of the

weekend, those in the chasing pack - who looks good to you?

The I have liked Sergio Garcia. His chipping and putting has been good

today. He dropped a stroke, he was a little down in his interview, but

I like the way he is moving around. Garcia, of the European players,

will certainly be a person I think might challenge.

So much to look forward to. Did get going here very shortly. Let me

going here very shortly. Let me remind you how you can share this

with us at BBC Sport. In the next half-hour you will be able to watch

additional coverage to our life BBC Two coverage on mind and on the Red

Button. -- on line. That should be from today from around 4:30pm. This

evening we will be back, 8:30pm on BBC Two and the HD channel. Live

interrupted coverage. After that, a full five hours of coverage, and

indeed beyond, if it goes that day indeed beyond, if it goes that day

-- goes that way, on the final day. What a weekend to look forward to,