We're at the halfway point of the 2012 Masters, and it's absolutely wide open. 63 players made the cut, the largest group to make it since 63 made it in 1992. Fred Couples and Jason Dufner lead at 5-under par. The 52 year-old Couples, who knows Augusta National as well as anyone in the field, lit it up on first nine with five birdies and then added two more on the par-five 15th hole and par-three 16th hole. The round shot him up 28 spots on the leaderboard, as Augusta is known for yielding big runs and charges up the board like that. Dufner, who was T3 yesterday, was steady as every with six birdies and a 2-under round of 72. Both Couples and Dufner played if the tougher, colder conditions of the morning tee times.
One shot back is a group of some of the best young talents in the game. Rory McIlroy had an excellent early morning round, shooting 69 to finish 4-under. Sergio Garcia, Lee Westwood, and Bubba Watson are three superstars who have matched Rory and are just one shot back.
Phil Mickelson had a great round to bounce back from yesterday's debacle at No. 10 and shot a 68 in the second round. He's in solid position at 2-under heading into the weekend.
Tiger Woods had his second-worst round at Augusta, shooting a 75 and falling back to 3-over. Woods struggled with his swing all day, and could not save anything on the greens.
You can view the live Masters leaderboard here.
For more on the 2012 Masters, check out SB Nation's golf hub and golf blog Waggle Room.
