For once it didn't bounce out of the forest. That was another thing about Tiger's first round. Three times he hit timber over his back nine, three times his ball bounced back into the fairway. Woods still seems blessed on the golf course.

Blessed with a sublime talent as well. From deep in the crowd he drew his second shot through the chill Friday morning air and into the front bunker. We knew what to expect from there. Woods splashed the ball out to three inches, the crowd went potty and the world No 1 began his second round with another routine par.  

Asked if he was consciously trying to hold back his exuberance after eagling the 15th Woods said: "No, I was just trying to make the putt. First putt I made all day."

This sort of stuff makes Tiger no friends. It is hard to ever imagine Fred Couples, who picked up a birdie in the first five holes of his second round, ever being so clever clever.

After five holes Couples was at seven under par, a two stroke lead over Ian Poulter, Lee Westwood, Tiger Woods, Tom Watson, Phil Mickelson and YE Yang. What a line-up.

International Federation of PGA Tours | The Masters 2010 | Augusta National

ROUND 2 Clubhouse Scores | Par = 72

Friday, 9 April 2010