Masters Live Blog, Day 2: Live Coverage, Updates, and Leaderboard Reaction

6:26pm EDT - As the last few groups finish up their second rounds, we'll take a look at a few players that should make for an interesting third round. Who will be in the hunt after Saturday and who will play themselves right out of contention?

We already know the cut line is at three-over par, saving a few of those that looked like they were going home early. One of those staying around for Saturday is last year's Masters champion Angel Cabrera who finished two-over on his round today.

Players to Watch

Lee Westwood (-8), Ian Poulter (-8), Anthony Kim (-7), Tiger Woods (-6), KJ Choi (-6), and Phil Mickelson (-5).

Stock Rising

Hunter Mahan (-2), Bill Haas (-2), Ricky Barnes (-6), Kenny Perry (-1), Retief Goosen (-1), and Sergio Garcia (E).

Stock Falling

Fred Couples (+3 today), Tom Watson (+2 today), YE Yang (+1 today), Nick Watney (+4 today), David Toms (+3 today), and Ernie Els (+1 today).

This could be the best third round we've seen in a long time. The leaderboard is full of big name stars of the PGA Tour and they're also full of guys that have the ability to run away with this tournament and shut the door for good.

However, they will have to deal with a course that will continue to get harder in each of the next two days. Augusta is not going to give up very low scores to allow someone to take control. But, it's going to take a golfer making smart decisions, staying on the fairway off the tee and capitalize on makeable putts.

Do that, and Augusta will have to surrender eventually.

See you all in the morning for round three of the Masters.

5:05pm EDT - Time for me to start my trek home for the evening. We'll pick up coverage around 6:15pm EDT and we'll take a look at the pairings for Saturday's third round.

4:54pm EDT - As day two begins to wrap up, with most groups on the back nine, it's time to start looking forward to Saturday and what we might see.

Phil Mickelson, Tiger Woods, Anthony Kim, K.J. Choi, Ricky Barnes, Ian Poulter, and Lee Westwood all at the top of the leaderboard. These guys should make it a fun ride to Sunday afternoon.

4:48pm EDT - Phil Mickelson tees off at number 12 and lands it at the back of the green. He'll have a tough putt coming back for birdie.

4:41pm EDT - Lee Westwood extends his lead with a birdie on 13 to go to 10-under par for the tournament and five-under for the day. He's two shots in front of Ian Poulter and two in front of Tiger Woods, K.J. Choi, and Ricky Barnes who are all at six-under.

4:31pm EDT - Seven golfers are on the two-over par cut line at this point, three of them are still on the course including Ryo Ishikawa who is playing with Ernie Els and Anthony Kim.

4:25pm EDT - Anthony Kim bogeys the 11th to fall back to five-under par for the tournament.

4:21pm EDT - Since I did a random thought yesterday how about one today? Every time I think of Ernie Els, Roger Federer comes to mind. Why is that?

4:12pm EDT - Anyone think that Lee Westwood is licking his chops right now knowing that Ian Poulter, Tiger Woods, and K.J. Choi are in the clubhouse?

Westwood takes the lead back with a birdie on 11 with seven holes still to play. He's gotta have this feeling of "put seperation between me and them" running through his mind.

4:07pm EDT - Speaking of Anthony Kim, he, Ernie Els and Ryo Ishikawa are the featured group on Masters.com.

4:01pm EDT - Anyone have their eye on Anthony Kim right now? Kim is two-under on the day, six-under for the tournament and he's just now getting to the back nine.

Kim played the back nine yesterday at one-under par and got off to a bad start with three straight bogeys on 10, 11, and 12 but is already one stroke better, parring the 10th hole.

3:58pm EDT - Tiger Woods just finished up his round of 18 at two-under par 70 for the day, he's six-under overall and two shots off the lead going in to Saturday's third round. That is IF Lee Westwood stays at eight-under par at the end of his round today.

K.J. Choi finished at one-under par today 71 and is also at six-under par overall.

Apparently I just jinxed Phil Mickelson because he just bogeyed the eighth hole to fall to one-over for the day and four-under for the tournament.

3:54pm EDT - I half expected Phil Mickelson to make some sort of move but he sits at even par through seven holes. Still early for him though but you gotta believe that Phil's looking at the leaderboard and knows what he has to do to stay within reach of the leaders.

3:45pm EDT - Not the way Poulter wanted to finish his day with a bogey at 18 but he got some help from Lee Westwood who just bogeyed 10 to fall back to eight-under.

3:37pm EDT - The cut at the end of today is projected at two-over par. If that remains that way when today comes to an end, here are a few players we won't be seeing over the weekend.

Bernhard Langer (+3) - disappointing after getting off to a good start on Thursday.

David Duval (+5) - I really thought Duval would make it to the weekend especially after sitting at one-under through most of his round yesterday. He just fell apart.

Mark O'Meara (+5) - For the course, Mark really hasn't played all that bad and he's not someone I expected to see this weekend. Still a good guy to root for though.

Padraig Harrington (+5) - I really am surprised about this one, I really thought Harrington would be someone to watch this week, but just not meant to be.

Paul Casey (+5) - I'm curious if his shoulder injury is bothering him. It was the reason he pulled out of the Shell Houston Open last weekend.

Justin Leonard (+6) - One of my dark horses before the week began. Thought he might do a lot better than he has.

Rory McIlroy (+7) - One of the up and coming stars but just wasn't his week. Stil someone to watch as the PGA season rolls on.

3:33pm EDT - Interesting stat that Masters.com put up just a moment ago. When Tom Watson won the Masters in 1977, 42 players in the field this year weren't even born yet.

If you're a young guy like Nick Watney or Ricky Barnes or any of the young guys in the field, how do you think they react when they see an Arnold Palmer, a Jack Nicklaus or even a Tom Watson?

3:26pm EDT - Matt Kuchar, Tiger Woods' other playing partner, at two-over par today after a two-under round yesterday.

Sergio Garcia had a good day today as he finished at two-under today and is even par for the tournament. Good to see him having a better day today than yesterday. Just didn't look like himself walking around Augusta on Thursday.

3:19pm EDT - Though you see Poulter and Westwood on the top of the leaderboard, is anyone intrigued by a Tiger Woods and Anthony Kim pairing this weekend if the second round ends this way?

3:12pm EDT - Seems as if Westwood and Poulter can't decide who wants the lead more. They're making it a fun second round as both sit atop the leaderboard at nine-under par.

Tom Watson, after his five-under day yesterday, isn't having the same success. Currently two-over par for the day and three-under for the tournament.

Special shoutout to Michael Campbell. After an 11-over round yesterday follows that up with a nine-over today. Tough couple of days for Campbell to be sure.

3pm EDT - Anthony Kim with a birdie at six and he moves to six-under for the tournament, just three shots back of Lee Westwood who's at nine-under.

Watch out for Kim, if he's in striking distance, he's going to be dangerous.

2:54pm EDT - Not the way Fred Couples wanted to finish his day with four bogeys in his last five holes. He finished at three-over 75 today.

2:52pm EDT - Ricky Barnes bogeys 13 and falls back to five-under for the tournament, four shots back of Lee Westwood.

2:48pm EDT - Lee Westwood with back-to-back birdies on six and seven and he's taken a one shot lead over Ian Poulter. Westwood moves to nine-under for the tournament, four-under on the day.

2:44pm EDT - Not sure if this just happened but Thongchai Jaidee has withdrawn from the tournament after 10 holes today. If anyone knows what happened, feel free to email me or leave a comment if you know the story on that if it was an injury, frustration, etc.

Jaidee had bogeyed five, six, seven, and nine, double-bogeyed eight then birdied ten before withdrawing.

2:41pm EDT - The two legends that were at the top of the leaderboard after day one, Fred Couples and Tom Watson, are now tied for ninth.

Watson, after a bogey free round yesterday, has three bogeys on the front nine alone today. Was hoping we'd see both guys staying on top but the course just isn't playing to their strengths today.

2:39pm EDT - Those that said Couples would fade today look to be right. Fred bogeyed 16 and 17 and falls to four-under par and two-over on his day. Not that he's completely out of contention but he's not having the same day he had yesterday.

2:33pm EDT - Quick rundown of who is where at this point outside of the co-leaders.

Tiger Woods is at five-under for the tournament, one-under for his round today.

Fred Couples, after a six-under yesterday is one-over today and is three shots back of the lead.

Phil Mickelson is one-under today after a birdie at three, six-under for the tournament.

K.J. Choi, Tiger Woods' playing partner, is even par today and remains at five-under for the tournament.

Anthony Kim is one-under today and sits at five-under overall.

Sergio Garcia is one-under today after 17 holes.

Angel Cabrera is even par after four holes.

Steve Stricker, after a one-over yesterday is one-over through 13 today.

Padraig Harrington is two-over today, currently at 16.

David Duval, who looked like he was putting a good round together yesterday, fell apart and finished at four-over par. He's currently at one-over at 13.

2:32pm EDT - For any of you still hanging out with us today, did you expect to see Lee Westwood and Ian Poulter at the top of the leaderboard today and do you think they're peaking too early?

2:30pm EDT - Beautiful birdie from Tiger on 13 moves him to five-under par, three shots back of Poulter and Westwood who just picked up another birdie to tie Poulter for the lead at eight-under.

Ricky Barnes hanging strong today, he's at six-under for the tournament.

2:22pm EDT - I wouldn't be doing my Masters duty if I didn't update the "I'm having a hard day" award for today.

Sandy Lyle is the runaway winner of the "I'm having a hard day" award by a landslide. He made Michael Campbell look like a rookie. Lyle finished with a tough 14-over par today for his round...ouch.

2:20pm EDT - It just keeps getting wilder folks. A bogey from Westwood on five and a birdie from Poulter on 15 and the lead has swapped hands. Is this a heavyweight fight between Westwood and Poulter or is this just a welterweight fight leading up to the heavyweight fight through the weekend?

2:15pm EDT - This tournament continues to take wild turns. This time it's at the top of the leaderboard as Lee Westwood (-8) has come out on FIRE. He eagled the second and birdied the third and has a one stroke lead over Ian Poulter (-7).

1:32pm EDT - For anyone who's watching the Masters or keeping track of it, what is surprising you so far? Anything going on that you didn't expect?

1:30pm EDT - A three-way tie atop the leaderboard and it's Fred Couples, Ian Poulter and...Ricky Barnes? That's right, the 29-year old Barnes is two-under par for the day and is tied for the lead.

1pm EDT - My appologies for not updating in the last hour and change.

Let's get back to golf shall we?

11:29am EDT - You can definitely tell the course is playing harder today than it was yesterday. You're not seeing the early three and four-under par scores.

A lot of guys had birdies on the second and third holes but you're not seeing that pattern today. The course is playing a lot tougher than it was yesterday. The best scores out there so far are one-under par from guys like Fred Couples, Tiger Woods, and Ian Poulter.

11:17am EDT - Vijay Singh having a tough couple of days at Augusta. After a four-over par round yesterday, Singh is already four-over par through just eight holes today. You have to wonder if his back is bothering him a lot more and he's trying to play through it or he's just plain struggling.

11:14am EDT - Don't look now Fred but you got Tiger and Ian Poulter right on your tail. Both Woods and Poulter picked up birdies and are now at five-under par for the tournament, just two shots back of Couples.

10:58am EDT - K.J. Choi and Tiger Woods are on the course and are through the first hold. Choi bogeyed the first while Tiger picked up a par. Both are at four-under par for the tournament.

10:53am EDT - Update on the "I'm having a hard day" award. Sandy Lyle is now 10-over par through 10 holes and is one shot back of Michael Campbell's 11-over round yesterday.

10:46am EDT - Sorry for the delay folks, was having computer problems and couldn't see anyone's comments for some reason. Got the issue fixed and we're back up and running now that I have my laptop in front of me.

I know DeMarco made mention in a comment that ESPN was having "spotty" coverage. I haven't seen much of their coverage during the day, just what they finished with last night. Where are they lacking?

How about Fred Couples starting where he left off with a birdie at the second and he's seven-under par for the tournament. For those that I talked to yesterday that said Fred was going to fade, he sure doesn't look like it through three holes today, but there's a long ways to go.

10:13am EDT - A few other updates so far today. Rory McIlroy (+2) is even par for his round today through two, Sergio Garcia got off to a bad start with a bogey at the first and is three-over par for the tournament. Vijay Singh is one-over today, Ben Crane is one-over today through nine, Ben Curtis is one-under through three, Kenny Perry is one-over through two, and Steve Flesch is one-under through seven.

10:08am EDT - Was Tiger's shot at the ninth the best ever at the Masters or, for those of you who have been around a little longer than the rest of us, is there another shot that was better? For me personally, I've never seen anything like that in my years of watching this tournament.

10:05am EDT - Fred Couples is on the course and is even through one and Nick Watney, Fresno State alum (Go 'Dogs!) just birdied the par four fifth hole to move to one-under for the day and five-under for the tournament, one shot back of Fred Couples (-6).

After a par at six, Sandy Lyle bogeys seven and is now at nine-over for his round. He's working hard for that award.

10am EDT - Ok, this is as random as you'll hear me today but it's a thought that I'm naturally curious about. For whatever reason, I'd love to be the guy that goes diving for golf balls at Augusta. Don't ask me why, just always wondered what that would be like.

Ok, back to the Masters.

9:46am EDT - After a tough four-over par round yesterday for Vijay Singh, he's off to a good start so far at one-under par through two after he birdied the par five second hole.

9:41am EDT - Update on good 'ole Sandy Lyle who's going HARD after the "I'm having a hard day" award. He double-bogeyed the fifth so he is now eight-over par through just five holes. He needs to beat Michael Campbell's 11-over par round from yesterday and looks prime to do that before he even reaches the ninth hole.

9:34am EDT - While the morning is still young, here are a few tee times coming up.

Fred Couples (9:40am), K.J. Choi and Tiger Woods (10:35am), Tom Watson (12:25pm), Lee Westwood (12:58pm), Phil Mickelson and Y.E. Yang (1:42pm), Ian Poulter(10:24am), Berhard Langer (11:30am), Ernie Els (1:20pm), Angel Cabrera (1:31pm).

9:26am EDT - A few quick updates so far today.

Nick Watney is even through two, Ryan Moore, a 27-year old from Tacoma, WA, landed back-to-back birdies to start his day to go to two-under for his round. Ryan Palmer is even through five, Ben Crane is one-over through six.

For those of you who joined us yesterday, you know that I handed out the first annual "I'm having a hard day" award to Michael Campbell after his 11-over 83 yesterday. Today, we already have a very legit candidate to take the trophy home today. Sandy Lyle has had a heck of a time through just four holes.

Lyle double-bogeyed the first, bogeyed the second, double-bogeyed the third and bogeyed the fourth and is currently six-over par through just four holes. That's dedication right there!

9am EDT - Good morning everybody, welcome to the second round of that Masters and our live blog that we'll be running throughout the day.

We had a good time yesterday and I'm glad a lot of you got a chance to catch up with us and join in on the fun. Today, we're going to kick the fun up a notch or two and get you readers a little more involved than yesterday.

After day one, good ol' Fred Couples sits atop the leaderboard at six under par, one shot in front of...Tom Watson? You heard it right, the timeless wonder is just one shot back of Mr. Couples as we head in to the second day of play at Augusta National.

The weather that was supposed to move in on the course yesterday afternoon never did surface so the course remained somewhat dry, although it did rain a little bit late in the afternoon.

So, with that said, let's get started with a few questions for those of you who are going to check in throughout the day.

1) Can Fred Couples play well enough to either (1) stay in the lead or (2) stay within a few shots of the lead?

2) Was Tom Watson's play yesterday a fluke or is he a legit contender?

3) What did you think of Tiger Woods' round yesterday? Were you surprised at how well he played?

4) Who do you think will make the biggest move today?

So you have a few questions to ponder and respond to. I'd love to get the readers involved and get some good debate going while the second round is going on. What that said, let's jump into it shall we?