Kenny Perry birdied the last hole to tie fellow American Chad Campbell at nine under par and share a one-stroke lead on Friday after two rounds of the US Masters. Perry almost holed his approach at the uphill 18th before sinking a three-footer to complete a five-under 67 for 135.
Campbell, who led by one stroke overnight on 65, opened a five-shot advantage with four birdies in the first 10 holes before bogeying the 11th, 12th and 17th as gusty winds blew through Augusta National. He then drained a 20-foot birdie putt to end the round on a high and finish with a 70.
Argentinas Angel Cabrera, the 2007 US Open winner, also birdied the 18th to seal a second successive 68 for 136. World number one Tiger Woods, playing his first major since knee surgery in June, was unable to mount a charge. Woods twice followed birdies with bogeys on the front nine and offset another birdie at the par-five 15th with a bogey at 18 where an eight-footer lipped out as he finished with a 72 and a 142 total, seven shots off the lead.
"I need to play a little bit better than I did today," he told reporters. "I need to sink some more putts." The biggest 36-hole deficit four-times champion Woods has overcome here was six strokes on his way to victory in 2005. American Todd Hamilton, the 2004 British Open winner, was in fourth spot after returning a 70 for 138, one shot better than South African Tim Clark. After perfect weather and a generous course set-up helped produce record scoring Thursday, swirling winds challenged the players in the second round.
NO BOGEY Perry, 48, bidding to become the oldest player to win a major, toured the 7,435-yard layout without a bogey. "Ive driven it beautifully," he said. "I think I hit 16 greens (in regulation) today. "Its very difficult out there, really swirling. It seemed like I was able to choose the right club at the right time. I feel like I can win." Campbell held the halfway lead at Augusta in 2006 before finishing 75-71 to tie for third.
"Its nice Ive been in that position before," said the 34-year-old. "Theres still a long way to go but its nice to not be on foreign ground." Greens were receptive and good scores were available. American Anthony Kim set a Masters record with 11 birdies, but also had two bogeys and a double-bogey in a 65 that earned a 140 aggregate.
Joining Kim at four-under were compatriot Jim Furyk (74), Sergio Garcia of Spain (67), Japans Shingo Katayama (73), and Rory Sabbatini of South Africa (67). Irelands Padraig Harrington, winner of the last two majors, posted a 73 that included a penalty stroke taken when a gust of wind blew his ball after address on the 15th green.
ROLLER COASTER Several players experienced drastic ups-and-downs. Briton Sandy Lyle, the 1988 champion, bogeyed four holes in a row from the fourth before reeling off five successive birdies from the 13th for a 70 and 142. "I knew after nine holes I had a bit of work to do as I was two over for the tournament," said the Scot.
Twice champion Phil Mickelson turned around his day after a bogey at 11, going five-under over the last seven holes including a tap-in eagle at the 13th after an approach to the par-five very nearly landed in the cup for an albatross. The left-hander registered a 68 for 141.
Triple champion Gary Player and Fuzzy Zoeller, the last man to win the Masters on his debut in 1979, made their farewell appearances at the tournament. South African Player, 73, carded an 83 for 161 while Zoeller, 57, posted a 76 for 155. The cut was set at one-over 145, eliminating Zach Johnson (150), the 2007 Masters winner, twice winner Jose Maria Olazabal of Spain (146), Australian Greg Norman (147) and South Africans Ernie Els (146) and Retief Goosen (146).