Masters Scores 2013: How Top Stars and Dark-Horse Contenders Performed on Day 2

There were plenty of intriguing storylines flying out of Augusta National Golf Club during Friday's second round at the 2013 Masters.

First it was Tianlang Guan's controversial penalty, then it was Tiger Woods' bad luck. Finally, it was Jason Day, who turned out the day's best effort, shooting a four-under 68 to take sole possession of the lead heading into the weekend's final two rounds.

Here we'll take a look at how the top stars and dark horses performed on Friday.

Tiger Woods Strikes Flag Stick on Way to Disappointing Finish

Tiger Woods can't be too unhappy with his one-under 71 on Friday, but he can be with how he got there.

After recording three big-time birdies on the front nine, Tiger was tied for the lead before a freak play on on the 15th hole sent his shot off the flag stick and into the water. He would bogey the hole and go on to bogey the 18th, heading into the clubhouse and the weekend three strokes off the lead.

While Tiger will be disappointed he couldn't come away with the lead, he's remains a huge threat to win his 15th career major just three shots back with 36 holes to play.

Round 2 Score: 71 (-1)

Tournament Score: -3

Jason Day Shoots Friday-Best 68 to Take the Lead

Australian Jason Day has experienced heartbreak at Augusta before, finishing tied for second here in 2011. But after his second-round performance on Friday, the 25-year-old looks determined to come away with a green jacket this time around.

Day posted the best score of the second round on Friday, shooting a four-under 68 to head into the weekend in sole possession of the lead at six under.

Oddly enough, Day shot the best second-round score at the Masters in 2011 as well.

Round 2 Score: 68 (-4)

Tournament Score: -6

Marc Leishman Flies Under the Radar, Still in the Mix 

While fellow Aussie Jason Day was making his run on Friday, Day 1 co-leader Marc Leishman was settling for par. 

Leishman looked to be headed for disaster early after picking up two quick bogeys, but he settled in and recorded back-to-back birdies to close out the front nine. He went on to finish the second round with a one-over 73, one shot off the lead heading into Saturday's third round.

Considering he had 300-1 odds to win the Masters before the tournament began, I'm sure Leishman will take his first-half performance at Augusta.

Round 2 Score: 73 (+1)

Tournament Score: -5

Bubba Watson Rallies to Make the Weekend Cut

Defending Masters champion Bubba Watson was in serious danger of missing the cut on Friday after picking up a double bogey on No. 11.

But he was able to recover over the final seven holes, picking up four birdies down the stretch to finish one over for the round and four over through two rounds, right above the cut line.

Watson will have to pick up the pace in Saturday's third round, however, if he wants to be in contention on Sunday. The 34-year-old fan favorite already has 10 bogeys and a double bogey through 36 holes at Augusta National.

Round 2 Score: 73 (+1)

Tournament Score: +4

Fourteen-Year-Old Tianlang Guan Survives Controversial Penalty to Make Cut

Tianlang Guan, the 14-year-old Chinese amateur who has made headlines across the nation with his stellar play at Augusta this spring, survived the weekend cut despite being assessed a controversial one-stroke penalty for slow play on No. 17.

The penalty resulted in a bogey that sent Guan into the clubhouse with a three-over 75 for the second round. He's 10 strokes off the lead going into the weekend, but the simple fact that he'll tee off Saturday for the third round is worth a green jacket. 

Round 2 Score: 75 (+3)

Tournament Score: +4

Rory McIlroy Eagles, Pulls Within Reach 

With all eyes on Tiger Woods Friday, world No. 2 Rory McIlroy played a solid round of his own, overcoming two early bogeys and recording an eagle on the eighth hole to finish two under for the round.

McIlroy picked up three huge birdies on the back nine to pull within four shots of the lead heading into the weekend. Despite his sluggish start to the year, it's safe to say the two-time major winner will be a serious contender the rest of the way, as he looks to be getting stronger with each round.

Round 2 Score: 70 (-2)

Tournament Score: -2

Phil Mickelson Struggles but Survives the Cut

Three-time Masters champion Phil Mickelson will have some serious ground to make up this weekend if he is going to win a fourth career green jacket in 2013.

Lefty struggled on Friday, recording a double bogey on his way to a four-over 76 in the second round. Mickelson recovered with a birdie right after his double bogey on No. 12 but went on to pick up bogeys on Nos. 14 and 15 to finish nine strokes off the lead. 

If there's anyone who can come back from a poor 36-hole performance, it's a four-time major winner like Phil, but heading into Saturday, he looks to be well out of contention.

Round 2 Score: 76 (+4)

Tournament Score: +3

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