As was the case in round one of the 2011 Masters, the younger players took charge in round two and have set themselves up well for the weekend. However, one name looms large just off the pace.
As the leaderboard shows, a couple of young guns hold the top spots, but a certain name isn't far behind:
1. Rory McIlroy: -10
2. Jason Day: -8
3. K.J. Choi: -7
3. Tiger Woods: -7
5. Geoff Ogilvy: -6
5. Alvaro Quiros: -6
The 21-year-old McIlroy and 23-year-old Day hold advantage over veterans Choi, Woods and Ogilvy. McIlroy carded a 3-under 69 on Friday, working with four birdies and a bogey on 12. Despite 69 being a solid score, it seemed to be a conservative round for McIlroy, who backed off a bit from his first-round 65. His strength will be tested as he holds a two-stroke lead entering the weekend, but he went a long toward proving that very thing with a strong hold of his lead in round two.
Day came out of nowhere with the low round of the day Friday, recording a 64. After a 33 on the front nine, he posted five birdies on the back for a 31. Day has a long way to go to prove Friday wasn't a fluke, but a strong Saturday that keeps him near the top would be a good start.
Tiger's 66 on Friday vaulted him to a tie for third place. Despite three bogies on the front nine, Tiger posted a 35 at the turn. He followed that with a 31 on the back, including three straight birdies on 13, 14, and 15, and finishing with a birdie on 18. Tiger is always someone to keep an eye on, but after a must-have 66 on Friday, it seems the ability to go low when he needs it the most is back, at least for this week. If anything can shake the youngsters at the top, it's Tiger's presence.
As I've mentioned at least 50 times since the beginning of the week, don't write off Ogilvy or Lee Westwood. Both know how to get it done in big tournaments, and both have been in Masters contention late. Ogilvy is within striking distance at 6-under, and Westwood is lurking at 5-under.
Notables off the pace but still have a shot with a low round Saturday include Jim Furyk at 4-under, Angel Cabrera at 3-under, Phil Mickelson at 2-under and Trevor Immelman at 2-under. Players around these scores will need mid-60s at the most on Saturday.
Notable pairings for round three on Saturday:
12:55: Phil Mickelson, Gary Woodland
1:55: Lee Westwood, Charl Schwartzel
2:05: Fred Couples, Rickie Fowler
2:25: Geoff Ogilvy, Alvaro Quiros
2:35: Tiger Woods, K.J. Choi
2:45: Rory McIlroy, Jason Day
TV Schedule:
7-9 a.m. - Morning Drive (Golf Channel)
12:30-3:30 p.m. - Live From The Masters (Golf Channel)
3:30-7:00 p.m. - The Masters on CBS
7-9 p.m. - Live From The Masters (Golf Channel)
For more on the Masters, visit SB Nation's golf hub and Waggle Room.