Day Two Highlights Golf: The Masters

Hello, the Masters may be the only men's major played on the same

course every year, but the story here is ever-changing and always

surprising. The opening day of the 81st tournament put conditions more

reminiscent of an Open Championship with swirling winds that scatter to

the four winds the chances of many of the world's top professionals.

Indeed, not a single member of the world top ten broke par, one a day

when Augusta played tougher than it had for a decade. It was a day when

the world number one was beaten, conceding defeat just before the

first tee. Jordan Spieth had his troubles with water again. And the

man who overtook him last year started clumsily, but the champion

recovered well. Three times a winner Phil Mickelson showed all his

experience and found his putter working well. An eagle on the second

just one of his highlights. Justin Rose has come close at Augusta

before I put himself in a strong position. Once again, Peter green,

as good as any in the field. For other home hopes it was a case of

the comebacks. Lee Westwood out in 3-over but the five Brodie once on

the 13th and sitting high on the leaderboard. Likewise, Rory McIlroy,

struggling to the turn and recovering on the homeward run. Two

Americans would finish out in front, one, William McGirt, last year's

tomorrow champion, looking steady in the swirling wind, and for a long

time his 69 threatened to be the only sub 70 round, until Charley

Hoffman did his thing. It seem feasibly could not miss. A 65, one

of the great rounds of the Masters. A long way clear, but still a long

way to go. It was a day initially dominated by the patrol of Dustin

Johnson and it became the story of the over 50s. 53, 52 and 54 occupy

the top three spots on the leaderboard. The impressive Hoffman,

who four shot lead is the largest around round his 1955, debutant

William McGirt, and Lee Westwood, whose remarkable charge raised hopes

of a breakthrough at last in what is his 76th major. Only 11 men broke

par, amongst them Fitzpatrick, Mickelson and Garcia. No player has

ever won by more than seven shots behind after round one, Rory McIlroy

is right number after an opening 72. No lead is safe at Augusta. See

Rory, Jordan Spieth and Greg Norman for details. A fascinating

second-round layer. Charley Hoffman was well aware that only two men

since 1985 upheld the first-round lead and gone on to win, but there

was no time to ponder on that for the 40-year-old, who was one of the

early starters. Out in the first pairing, William McGirt, and the

veteran Australian, Rod Pampling. Charley Hoffman but that four shot

lead in the company of Chris Wood and Ikeda. Rory McIlroy had a

mid-morning start with Hideto Tanihara and the impressive Spanish

newcomer, Jon Rahm. And handily placed Matt Fitzpatrick copies

Martin Kaymer and champion Jordan Spieth who showed his worst ever

score here, a 75, on Thursday. It is certainly not getting much easier

for this 93- strong field. It is fractionally warmer, but as Arnold

Palmer himself said, golf is deceptively simple and endlessly

complicated. Especially at Augusta where we have blustery, breezy and

tricky conditions with gusts of 25 miles an hour, testing both club

selection and nerve, on the super slick greens. A fast start for

William McGirt of North Carolina, an amiable personality. He won the

Memorial tomb at last year. The 4th hole is known as the Flowering Crab

Apple, but this is less apple and more peachy. He moves the forerunner

in slow but spectacular style. -- emus to 4-under. Danny Willett, the

defending champion, had another crack can round two. This is his

fifth shot. He signed for and eight, 5-over, and his defence could yet be

cut short. Sergio Garcia, at the same hole, enjoyed a rather

different experience than Danny. He has been pin sharp and pin high from

the middle of the fairway and this beautiful shot would be good enough

for birdie. Two under in this, his 74th major tournament. Could it

finally be the one? Here comes Charley Hoffman, began at 7-under

and muscled in on an opening birdie at the 2nd. Two putts would deliver

a first birdie of the day, 8-under, now. Garcia at the same hole, a

second. And the iron is working magnificently, carving this one down

the big hill and onto the green. His putter would do the rest. He has

picked up two shots in his first two halls and he charges to 3-under. His

playing partner Lee Westwood having dropped a shot at the 1st Peak

District back up again to go two under. The 43-year-old has two

runners-up spots at Augusta. He would love to go one better. Here is

how it looks. Hoffman preserving his four shot lead for now. Surgery on

the march. Those at five have still to get underway, and the only other

man making progress at the moment, Ryan Moore, so it is time to welcome

Andrew Cotter, Paul Azinger, Ken Brown and Peter Alliss. Thank you,

Hazel. Sergio Garcia after a beautiful tee shot. 3rd hole,

pitching up to the green. He is 3-under par. Zips it up. He usually

plays these quite beautifully. Steady, steady, steady. Going

further away. A nice shot, nearly, not bad. Bit of a cruel bounce. Tee

shot for Charley Hoffman. A great start on a cold, blustery day. And

that is an amazing shot. That is so difficult today. Although the flag

is not moving, that is right into the wind. Another chance for

Hoffman. That would be to get a 9-under. What a start from Hoffman.

It would go back to Garcia, putting on the third. A longish putt, nicely

struck, it is running nicely and that is 4-under, Sergio Garcia

4-under. After three calls on the second round. What a start, birdie,

birdie, birdie. -- three holes. A manatee shot here, McIlroy with his

second shot at the 2nd hole. -- a mammoth tee shot. That is good. Go

on. Yes, that will be for eagle. APPLAUSE

Lee Westwood at the 3rd. Two under par. This putt for par. He drops a

shot and goes back to 1-under par. That slid away to the right. An

unforced error. APPLAUSE

A wonderful chance for birdie at the 4th of Charley Hoffman. Straight in.

Oh, no, it has gone left. The first real mishap for Hoffman. After a

terrific second shot from Rory McIlroy at the 2nd, this is an eagle

putt, a whisker from left to right. It looks good. It looks very good,

no, it just slid away, that was for a three. It should be OK for a

birdie. He will have to wait and tap it in. Cleaning up after a short

missed birdie, he handles that nicely. Hoffman, through a difficult

stretch on the golf course, five, six, seven, eight and nine.

Hopefully tidying up at the 2nd, this worry birdie putt, he has now

gone to level par. -- this for a birdie putt. Drop one at the 1st and

picked it up again at the 2nd, level par. He shot for Charley into a

ferry bumper, and these bunkers are hard to play from, difficult to get

the ball in the greenhouse of any fairway bunker at Augusta. That is

an amazing shot. He will be really happy with that. Jumping up at the

14th and William McGirt. He is 4-under, but this long putt for a

par. Oh, put it away. He will knock that in and go back to 3-under par.

Just a spectacular shot from the fairway bunker at five. And he had

it, he had it, he knows it. But he remains at 8-under par. That's the

situation early on on the second day. Garcia with a bogey, par for

Westwood, but it is early days, but the conditions are rather tricky.

Hoffman at the moment five ahead. But this is a place where there are

lots of pitfalls. This is a par putt for Rory. Oh, boy. Almost as if he

was frightened by the Augusta wins. He just seemed as if someone let off

a firework in his trousers as he was about to putt. Something of an

untidy start, but still hanging on. Hoffman now at the 6th. Tricky pitch

onto this sloping green. Very fast, and it runs away. That has left him

with a putt with a 2.55 in three foot swing from left to right.

William McGirt here at 16. Miscued off the tee. But that was pretty

clever. He made that look easy. He will save par, the North Carolina

native. He remains 3-under. Charley Hoffman at the 6th. That never

looked like it, that is a dropped shot, he goes out to 7-under. Those

little putts and wins coming across, you know that everything has to be

struck absolutely 100% in the middle. McIlroy with his second shot

from far right, 455 yards, crosswind. The ball carrying. He has

done it. What are shot, what a player. That is a good look, right

there. He does play some wonderful iron shots, a joy to watch. Westward

from the front of the sixth. -- Lee Westwood.

You see how these greens can make you look foolish? That shouldn't be

happening, should? If that on your home course you would wonder if you

had stayed up and had too many fizzy drinks the night before! Michael

White for birdie at the 5th. This is about as good a place as you would

want to end up on that hole and he has got it! Perfect speed. A little

harder and it would not have gone. Hoffman for a bogey at the 7th. He

bogeyed six to drop a shot. This is to avoid dropping two. He needs to

make this to remain at 6-under par. That was well holed, but another

lost shot for par, and now his five shot lead down to just three. McGirt

has got to the 18th and he has found trouble. The bunker, third shot,

Greenside, flips it up, stop, stop, stop. Sometimes they stop, sometimes

they don't. It is doing its best to come back. Well, very good, just

moving under its body weight. Not bad. Hoffman at the 8th with his

third shot, just lofting it, pushing it through nicely. Oh, hello. A

complete mess it. We have all done that on our home course, haven't we?

Well, some, more than others! Surgery with a difficult par putt at

the 7th. -- Sergio. A fist pump out of surgery, and he is going nicely

at the moment. -- Sergio. The sixth green, McIlroy. Steady, steady,

though, steady! That is what we can -- that is what we call controlling

the spin. He knew exactly what was going to happen. And you can tell

from his demeanour he is not at all surprised. We are, he isn't! Put me

down for a two! This is our first look at Ryan Moore, a birdie putt at

13. And he's got it. Ryan Moore suddenly making a move up the board.

Now 1-under par. Started the day two over. McGirt at the 18th. Got out of

the bunker and bacteria. Finishes at two under par. That is pretty good.

But it is still early days. Charley Hoffman, this for par at the 8th

after a complete... From the middle of the fairway, and that right there

will give him a bit of a jolt to the system. A bogey like that will

certainly fire the nerves back up. He has got to collect himself now as

he heads to nine. This is a situation. And a quick word on the

clubhouse leader William McGirt, only his fourth major Championship,

a tie for tenth in the PGA Championship last year. He has a

taste of the spotlight. Very much in the thick of things today.

Yesterday, the dust in the same, today it is costing and bouncing

around more. The greens have picked up what a good bit of pace

overnight. It was tough. The runner wipes on the putting green so it was

hard to warm up, putting, but I will get some work in this afternoon. It

took me about six, eight holes to get the pace. It seemed like every

putt I thought was fast, I gave it too much respect, so we will get a

little work in on that this Back-to-back birdies now, this might

be very good from McIlroy. Move into the light out of the shadows. He has

left himself a kicker for par. Charley Hoffman at the 10th. Just

manages to scrape one in for another bogey. His fourth bogey of the day.

Very different yesterday when he had ten birdies his card. This is really

moving shadows of the tree. That is a good stroke from McIlroy. Keeps

the momentum of the birdies on the fifth and sixth. His tee shot

clattered about in the trees, so he's a long way back, Garcia at the

10th. What a break. Into the azaleas and popped out. Very fortunate. A

little landing area, too. Jon Rahm to this par-5. The green sits in

that gathering area with mounds to the left and right, and Jon Rahm,

straight down the middle, eight beautiful putt from the 22-year-old

Spaniard. Charley Hoffman and Sergio Garcia tied at the top one 4-under.

William McGirt with a very good round of 73 to follow up is 69. Ryan

Moore, a lone amateur back in 2005, along with Rory McIlroy, Jon Rahm,

Soren Kjeldsen and Andy Sullivan, or just beginning their rows.

Fitzpatrick and Mickelson, heading out later. -- just beginning their

rounds. Charley Hoffman is going to hit a big high book, water to the

left. Issy turning it? It is a long way back. Uh-oh. Fortunately there

is a bit of moisture in the service otherwise that would have found the

water. Not a bad spot in the end, although he is looking at it

anxiously. Awkward for Garcia to flip over the bunker. Means the come

on a little bit, a lot of of it. -- needs to come. Well done, little

ball. Hoffman has chipped up to here.

Dropping another stroke. No. What a difference a day makes. He couldn't

miss yesterday. Dropping strokes at the 10th and 11th. The greens not

quite as lethally quick as they have been in the past but they will pick

up over the weekend. Garcia, to save par. That could've been worse, it

was loose off the tee, and he got away with the second shot, a little

bit. I will just about giving that one. -- give him that one. Ryan

Moore with his final hole of the day. 74 yesterday, and what looks

like 69 today. The man spigots. -- from Las Vegas. He played here as an

amateur. Not many players managed to do that.

APPLAUSE 1-under. 35 out. 34 back. Excellent.

A great grant from Ryan Moore. Sergio Garcia has been demoted on

this official leaderboard to wonder because his scorer the tent has been

put down as a seven instead of a five, because there seems to be some

confusion about which ball off the tee he has played, whether it was

his first ball or his provisional. We will keep you updated on that.

The man at the top, Charley Hoffman, needing to try and keep the wheels

on. Hoffman laying up on the 13th. He went for it in two yesterday.

This will test your nerves after duffing at the 8th. That is a nice

way to come back and that will be a birdie four the Hoff. It stops that

horrible run. Garcia has found the front bunker at the 12th. What a

cracking effort. He can't believe it has turned so much as it was slowing

up. Quite a deep bunker. Not much landing area for Rickie Fowler. You

little beauty, an eagle three, moves into red figures. It was travelling

when it struck the pin but it was a beautifully played shot. Lee

Westwood now, for eagle. Up the little ledge on the green, not

particularly fast. But ran on pretty well. The greens seem to be a little

slicker as they are drying up. He should tap in for his birdie to move

back to 1-under par. Casey, down the slippery, slightly sloped from the

left, Paul Casey. -- slidey slope. A beautiful place to watch from a

bank, and a nice start for Paul Casey. -- that bang. -- bank. He

will need this, the defending champion. It was a horrible start to

his round, quadruple bogey at the 1st, double bogey yesterday and

recover, but today, he is out on 41. That is serve another for Danny

Willett 's and he will be here on Sunday to present the green jacket

but I am not sure that he will be playing. McIlroy finding the back

bunker and this, for par. That was never online. Three birdies on his

card, now four bogeys. Assuming he nudges this in. He's hanging in

there at 1-over. It has been a lively start to the second round,

for Rickie Fowler, out of the bunker for an eagle at the 2nd. And the

birdie year, beautifully judged, Rickie Fowler making a move, par,

eagle, birdie start, 3-under. Well, the mystery is solved. Sergio Garcia

did indeed play his original ball at the 10th, not his provisional so the

triple bogey seven was in fact a bogey five. It has been cleared up

by the visuals and Sergio Garcia is back to two under, all is well. He

has made par at the 14th and here he is again at the 15th. Going for it

in two. Into the wind which has perhaps dropped a little bit. That

went off like a tracer, you could see it flying straight and true. It

just crept over the water. As fine a second shot as you will see at the

15th. Wonderful from Garcia with an eagle chance to come. The veteran

Fred Couples. Nice to see him playing after having back trouble

last year. Nice tee shot, just feathering 1-over the little bluff.

That came down like a bag of sugar. What a little beauty. My swan,

Freddie. APPLAUSE

-- nice one, Freddie. Down the slope for Garcia, with the claw grip, do

your work. That is good, good, good. That is a birdie. Nice to have that

confusion cleared up about the tent, that will be a birdie to move to

3-under. It was justified, that supposed seven. And a birdie on the

15th. -- it was just a five. Right in the heart of the cup. What a

record he has here, the past champion. They love him here. Phil

Mickelson in trouble at the 3rd. Nice contact. Well, you can't teach

that, can you? That was fantastic. Took all the spin off it, on the

back foot. And up the hill to the final green for Charley Hoffman, 154

yards. You can see the wind through there, from left to right it blows.,

back,, back, will it go back in? Can't believe it. He's on the slope

but the wind is sort of holding it up there. Mickelson at the 3rd to

move to a couple under. It was never in doubt. Going for his fourth green

jacket. And it is looking ominous. Perfectly shot for Garcia with the

pin at the back left of this putting surface. My goodness. It is coming

down like the lunar module! That was a fantastic shot, down the breeze,

landing on the downslope, 5-star Raul Garcia, there. Charley Hoffman

about to show what his second should have done if it had spun back about

one foot or so, more. Well away, and the wind just seemed to be holding

up a little, Andrew. On that exposed part of the course. Back to Garcia

after that beautiful second shot. A little tap infra birdie, and in she

goes, well done. He really is playing quite beautifully. Just one

dropped stroke on the outward nine, none of them coming home, playing

well. 16th and McIlroy, has a testy one.

Going up the length. Beautifully played. Modern equipment and ball

and you can nick them from short range and that was a little honey.

Big putt for Hoffman and so too Danny Willett. In it goes. We

wouldn't wish him ill. 75 for Charlie Hoffman. 8-under at one

stage, slips back to 4. Still leader. Fred Couples, here he is for

a birdie at the 7th. Dropped a couple of strokes at the last hole,

the par-3. There may be snow on the roof, but there is a fire in the

hearth! Rose par-3, 4th. Watch this one go.

He is making it all right... No, good effort. Silky touch. Still it

wanders on. Adam Scott at the 9th for a birdie. Touches it down the

right, swings left and in! Well done. That was really going. Thank

goodness that went in, out in 32. That's quite splendid stuff.

The wind whistling off the left for Garcia. Second shot at the 18th.

Made a lovely sound. Go on! Has to trickle back. Doing nicely. Looking

as if five over will make the cut. This is for a bogey, Mickelson.

Rattles it in. Bogeyed the first and the fifth. A couple of birdies in

between. Slippery slimy putt this one, a

little downhill. If you are brave inside the left edge and firm, but

you have to be brave to do that. Otherwise it's just outside the left

edge which is where he is aiming. Is he aiming far enough to the left?

No. It was tricky. McIlroy at the 17th.

He's got one! Well done. It's been a mixed bag for McIlroy. Some

fantastic shots and a bit of all sorts thrown in. A round of 69, two

superb rounds. 71 yesterday and a strong winds, this morning it was a

bit cold. 69 today for 140. Joint leader with Charlie Hoffman. Could

it be his week? STUDIO: Charley Hoffman ten shots

higher today, 75. However, he is still at the top but he has company

with Sergio Garcia. McGirt tied in third place. Mickelson on the move.

McIlroy steady at level par for the tournament with one hole to play.

Jason Day, former world number one up there, as well. 1-under for his

round today. Let's hear from our co-leaders.

I enjoy when courses play tough and when the Masters plays difficult

because it means that the high quality shots are going to be

rewarded and you have to hit the ball the right way. So, usually if I

am in good form I can do that. So, I have always enjoyed those kind of

challenges. A different day today than yesterday, but how do you feel

about that score of 75? Yeah, I played all right. Began the round

played great, yesterday was going in. Today it seemed I was above the

hole instead of below. Above the hole at Augusta National it's a

struggle. Middle of the round it was tough, made good bogey putts and

finished up with a birdie and a punch of pars which was nice.

Justin Rose for a birdie and sweet as a nut. Playing quite beautifully.

Dropped a stroke at the last hole but recovered at the 5th. Not an

easy hole to birdie, the 5th, I can tell you.

McIlroy's second shot to the 18th. Although the flag is in a quite

comfortable position, we haven't seen all that many threes. Oh! Hit

the flag! Where has it gone? That was desperately unlucky. Off the

flag, 20, 30 yards off the green down the left side. Have it again,

that's not fair! Rickie Fowler now, third shot at the par-5, 8th.

Straightforward, pitch and run. Decides to pitch it all the way.

Doesn't quite get the stop he wanted but not bad.

Now the wind is fairly whistling across this green. All sorts of

things come into your mind but strike it nice and true and firm

and... Oh, my good God! He is as far away again as he started. Too hard

on that line. It was a straight putt if you are going to hit them that

hard. All because he hit the flag stick with his second. Desperately

unlucky really. This is for a bogey five.

Unlucky. Leaves the green with a nasty feeling. 36 out.

And 37 home. 73, one over par. Tricky putt to read this. It's

quicker than it looks. Ricky thinks it's a little left. Oh! He read it

beautifully. Double breaker. Mickelson's second shot at the 7th.

A good strike. Oh! Steady, steady. Go down the

hill. Yes, it's getting closer. Not bad.

STUDIO: Our co-leaders Hoffman and Garcia safely in the clubhouse but

it's Rickie Fowler we are watching and there is action there, 4-under

for the day for the man who made 27 birdies last week in Houston. He has

shown great form coming in here. Could it be Fowler's year?

A chance for a birdie, missed a shortish putt on the last green for

a birdie, Mickelson. But this is a fairly straight putt. Hit it well

and all the way a winner. Beautiful birdie three two bogeys, three

birdies. 2-under. Great work Justin Rose faces here.

Has to land it left of the flag to have a chance of getting it close.

Mind your spin now. Oh, what a shot that is! Beautifully played. Watch

out for Justin Rose this weekend. Thomas Pieters. Risky play from the

Belgian. Oh, what a shot! The equal of

Mickelson's shot. That is shot of the day from Thomas Pieters. Unsure

of what it was going to do, beautiful. Justin Rose hit a

magnificent shot here to the 9th. Played it past the hole with a lot

of spin. Now he has this right-to-left putt. For another

birdie. Yeah, good putt. Justin Rose making a move.

Mickelson, a long way down the 10th. Just 155 yards. Muttering away.

And lovely shot. Below the hole. Pretty much straight up towards it.

Now we will see if Pieters can pay it off after that magnificent shot

from the pine straw. And he has! Well, there won't be many threes at

the 13th today, but boy if ever there was a beautiful one, that

would be it. Wow! Now Mickelson down among the shadows

of the 10th green. This is about as nice a chance as you will get here

at the 10th. Oh, yeah, Phil Mickelson!

It's all starting to come to live here in the second round.

STUDIO: So far only two men have broken 70, Ryan Moore and Sergio

Garcia are co-leaders with Charley Hoffman. Thomas Pieters up there at

3-under par and Phil Mickelson is moving in the right direction. Very

ominous indeed. That gives you answer idea of the

terrain coming over the little brook that guards the right of the 13th, a

little downslope. So sweet. Lovely! Just caressed off

the turf. Not too much spin. Thomas Pieters at 14. You have to fly the

ball all the way to the hole here. He has that false front protecting

that flag. Oh, yes! Hit it right at the top of that was hill and that is

spectacular. As good as you can do without holing

it there at the 14th. Couples after that magnificent pitch into the

13th. In the front edge. He stepped after it as if he thought he hit it

firmly enough and he had. Now Thomas Pieters after a remarkable shot at

14. Oh, yeah! Suddenly Thomas Pieters now is tied

for the lead. Currently the leading amateur, at the final hole. That's

got to go back. This could be... Go on, accelerate down. Go on! It's

going to be close! Oh, no! Straightened out. He thinks it is in

with the roar of the crowd. What a shot. Adam Scott at 15. Third shot.

Another beauty. Lots of green to work with here for Ricky. Lites a

low clipper. All kinds of sauce on it. What a shot!

Adam Scott played a terrific wedge shot to here, let's see if he can

hole this. He has done it nicely. Two beautiful wedges on the par-5s

on the outward half. Look at that score card.

Rickie Fowler now for birdie. Just a formality. What a lovely putter he

has become. Unusual to see Mickelson hit a putt as poorly as that first

at the 11th. Oh, nearly. A dropped shot for Phil. Magnificent birdie

for Phil at the 10th but a three-putt bogey here. Now he will

head up to the dangerous 12th. Justin Rose, this is for a par at

the 12th. Through the green with his tee shot. A clumsy shot back and...

I thought he had done it again. He holed a monster putt for a par on

the previous green. That's a four. A shot dropped. Still going along OK.

Rickup Fowler at the 15th. Second shot. He boldly goes.

A good clean straight hit, bang! Sit, sit, sit. And that's why. Oh,

dear, dear, dear! That's gone right through, 30 yards in the water. So

Phil Mickelson. Skip, skip, skip. Oh! What a shot!

Hey, Phil! That was confidence there. Perhaps he was showing him

where the green was. His eyesight might be getting dodgy. I think he

was looking into the flag and couldn't see the flag, I think that

was the reason, he wasn't that confident. Having gone in the water,

this is Ricky's fourth. That a mighty good effort.

Up the little bank, closed the face because the ball is landing into the

grain, got it to hop forward a couple of times. Won't see many

better than that today. Mickelson with this tap-in here for

a likely birdie. It will have a little movement, though. Oh, it

almost got away! But it's in now. A sigh of relief for Mickelson I am

sure. Fowler faces a par at the 15th.

This will be some par if he can rattle this one in.

Stop, stop, stop! Justin Rose after a blast off the

tee around the corner, second shot here. Oh, what a shot! The best of

the day so far. Fowler, this for a six.

And the 15th. He has got it. Only one shot dropped.

Justin Rose. Just tapped it. That could have gone. Would have been

some kind of eagle there but an easy birdie for Justin Rose. Back on

2-under par. Just two off the pace. Rickie Fowler.

Oh! Just snuck over, but OK. A big putt for Mickelson. Kept his

score going nicely. Don't want to miss one of these. But he has.

He has, he has. Well, three putts at the 11th.

Missed putts and three putts there. Pieters third shot at the 18th.

Drove into the trees and came out to here. Wide of the green to the left.

Down the left side, let the... Go on, swing it. That could come back.

It might. It's happened before. And by golly it's happening again.

Well thought out. Over to the 16th. Rickie Fowler for

birdie. It's a slow putt up that hill.

Beautiful speed. Dead on line. He has got it and Rickie Fowler, a

quick bounceback from the bogey on 15. Back in the lead. Now Pieters.

Final hole. This is for a par-4. This is to stay with a share of the

lead. He has done it. Well done, sir.

35 the first nine, and home in 33. Very nice playing.

STUDIO: Thomas Pieters told us last year that a Ryder Cup experience

would prepare him for life at the Majors. It hasn't half. A star then,

a star now. Let's hear from him after his 4-under par round of 68.

When conditions are as tough and the course is tricky, how drain

something that mentally and physically? I am tired, believe me.

You kind of want to get done after nine, ten, you just want to get to

13 and 15 and have a good birdie opportunity. But I enjoyed it. I

have had a good laugh with Daniel and looking forward to the weekend.

Fred Couples now at 18. Come on, Freddie, one more good swing. Be

right, be right. It is right if it comes back now. It should do. Is it

something remarkable from Freddie Couples? Not his finest pitch on the

16th, this is to save par. These might be costly shots come

Sunday evening. Slipping just a little bit further away from the

lead. Mickelson back to 1-under par. Justin Rose all the way over the

back of the 15th. A couple of times into that slope. Beautiful shot.

Just a stunning shot from Justin Rose. He will leave himself the

uphill, he knows how good that was. Rickie Fowler on the 18th. Get in!

Get in, they cry. Cannot break free, he will not lead on his own. Justin

Rose for birdie. Spectacular shot to get to here.

Oh, yeah! Wonderful birdie there for Justin

Rose, gets back to 2-under par. Now 2 off the pace.

It's been a beautiful round of golf from Rickie Fowler thus far. No

birdie at the final hole. But his final stroke and Rickie Fowler will

sit in a four-way tie at the top of the leaderboard going into the

weekend at the Masters. Missed the cut last year. Right in contention

in 2017. 67, the lowest round of the day.

STUDIO: Yes, that stellar round of 67 from Rickie Fowler equals his

personal best at Augusta. This is the first time he has ever led after

any round of a Major. Front-running is a new feeling even if it is in

company. Let's hear how he would describe it.

How much of a joy is it to be sitting where you are going into the

weekend? It's exactly where we wanted to be. You know, especially

with the conditions the last two days, really just didn't want to

take yourself out of the tournament. Go out there and play solid golf and

make sure you are in the right position for this weekend because

from what I have seen the winds are going to die down, the weather's

going to be good and if they get this golf course continuing to firm

out, there's going to be a lot of birdies, you are going to see eagles

with the wind being down and you don't want to be too far back from

the guys out front. So, in a great position but this tournament's far

from over. A highly motivated Jordan Spieth

smarting all year after events here at Augusta finishing off in the top

ten with a 4th birdie of the day and a round of 69. A stumbling finish

from Mickelson at the 17th, he scrambled a par at the 18th. A round

that promised so much, finishes in 73, but like Spieth he too is within

four shots. Former US Open champion Justin Rose, never missed a cut in

12 appearances, well, a tester for par at the last, goes begging. He

signed for 72 and will chase from three shots behind.

So, it's a four-way tie on 4-under. What a fascinating leaderboard this

is. So many stories waiting to be written perhaps about old-timers

like Couples are or first-timers like Pieters to real ever present

threats like Phil and indeed Spieth. There is something for everyone.

Only nine men under par including Justin Rose and lurking beyond,

Spieth and Scott, former champions, and McIlroy is only five behind in

that group at one over. Defending champion Danny Willett will be

around too but sadly only to present the green jacket to the new champion

on Sunday. His are not the only hopes blown away over the opening

couple of days. Ken Brown has certainly enjoyed the

opening days, especially from a European perspective. Marvellous

stuff played and notably from Sergio Garcia. He seems to be under

control. He is right in it. Wouldn't it be a fairytale story on what

would have been Seve's birthday if he was to win, which is on Sunday.

Most top fives in Major golf without winning those, he has 12 of those,

been so close so often. Yeah, he is there. His 71st consecutive Major

which is amazing and he has had his chances at the Open Championship.

But there's been marvellous shots played by him this week. He birdied

the first and second. This is at the third. This has occasionally been

his Achilles heel. Has a new putter in the bag. This was his second to

the 16th. Wachlt this drill off the clubface. Sorry, the five enth. The

green is flush. Shot high in the air. Gets it to land softly. One of

a number of wonderful iron shots he has played. That was a delight. Set

up the simplest of birdies. A little unlucky, because at the 17th he

played this Floats it miles in the air. He is

looking to the sky. A down breeze and watch how he gets it to grab.

That was one of the shots of the day. Very difficult. The ball

skidding off the downslope. It was a gem of an iron. Rory McIlroy, he

birdied the 17th and came to the 18th and thought he is in the

perfect spot. 140 yards left. Pin front right. Trying to pitch it past

the flag and use the slope behind. Drilled is in low and spun the club.

You are thinking this is on the money. So unlucky. Struck about five

feet up the flag and shot miles and miles away down. Watch where it

hits. If it misses the flag he will finish a yard away. Because it will

come back. Unlucky. A 72, 73 and could have been better. Thomas

Pieters who played so well in the Ryder Cup matches, gained

confidence. This was his marvellous approach at the 13th. Out of the

pine straw. Easy to slip and miscue and he picks it off like Phil

Mickelson did. The pin was on the left of the green and that set up

this eagle chance. Down the slope and left-to-right. A big roar from

the crowd. Lots to think about. This was a beauty. Eagle chance. Right

into the heart of the cup. 72, 68, he has looked to be playing

absolutely at the top of his game and enjoying his first Masters. . .

Composure and confidence at the Ryder Cup he has shown, it promises

so much. The Ryder Cup, you go as a rookie, nervous, can I do it on the

big stage? And he proproved he could. A number of players did that.

Jimenez, you thought, yeah, and from there he grew in strat ture. I think

Thomas Pieters has a good chance to win. -- stature. What a weekend we

will have. I am sure you will share it with us because our coverage is

live, full live coverage begins tonight.

Plenty of other options before that. If you are all ears for news and

live action Radio 5 live will oblige. It will be all change at

Augusta for Saturday. The ferocious winds will give way to flat, calm

conditions. The charge is on and we are back on in about five-and-a-half

hours' time. We will catch you very soon Father a great Saturday night

in at the Masters -- for a great Saturday night in at the Masters.