Masters 2011: Tiger Woods Makes 2nd Round Charge, Near Top of Leader Board

Tiger Woods has been telling us his game was getting close. It was just going to take some time.

Judging from this afternoon's display, it appears the wait is over.

Woods made nine birdies en route to a blazing six-under-par 66 total, vaulting him from 24th place all the way up to the third spot behind only Rory McIlroy and Jason Day during the second round of the 2011 Masters Tournament.

"I played myself back into the championship," Woods said in his post-round presser. "But there's 36 holes to play. There's a long way to go."

With only half the golf tournament complete, that's certainly true. But the way Tiger Woods played this afternoon—and with the experience he has and the confidence he appears to have heading into the final two rounds—I would take him over any other player in the field.

That field includes an interesting mix of seasoned veterans like K.J. Choi (minus-seven), Fred Couples (minus-seven) and Lee Westwood (minus-five), to talented newcomers like Rory McIlroy (minus-10), Jason Day (minus-eight) and Rickie Fowler (minus-five).

"I’m just trying to put myself in the mix come Sunday,” Woods said. "It’s irrelevant who's there. My whole job is to get myself there with a chance with nine holes to go.”

If his stellar play continues, that's exactly where he'll be.

A total of 49 players made the cut of 145, which ties the lowest cut in Masters history. But shockingly, some of the bigger names who won't be around for the weekend action are reigning U.S. Open champ Graeme McDowell, PGA Championship winner Martin Kaymer and British Open champion Louis Oosthuizen.