Joint overnight leader Justin Rose has a long wait before resuming the Masters today but a better idea of how to handle it. Darren Clarke, though, is unlikely to make the cut while Padraig Harrington is also off the pace and has serious ground to make up.
Three years ago, on his last visit to Augusta, Rose (26) was the halfway pacesetter and then, having struggled with the pressure, crumbled to a Saturday 81.
"You've got to find ways to fill your day up until your tee time," said Rose, whose opening three under par 69 was matched only by Masters rookie Brett Wetterich on a tough day when the average score was over 76.
Purely through the luck - or perhaps the bad luck - of the draw Rose is the last player back into action at just before 2.15pm local time this afternoon.
"I'll probably watch a little bit of 'Little Britain' and 'Ali G' dvds, just stuff to occupy your mind," he added.
"It's good. I have a lot of family around me this year, a lot of friends in town. It's a lot easier just to have some fun and hang out - it should be no problem."
Less than 18 months ago Wetterich was at the US Tour qualifying school, but since then he has won his first title, made the Ryder Cup and only two weeks ago was runner-up to Tiger Woods at the CA world championship.
While Woods bogeyed the last two holes for a 73, Rose's compatriot David Howell conjured up the only eagle at the 530-yard 15th to sit alongside David Toms in third place on 70.
Henrik Stenson is only three behind Rose and Wetterich and Luke Donald is alongside Woods, but the other Europeans needed to repair some damage today.
Ian Poulter and debutants Kenneth Ferrie and Bradley Dredge had 75s, while Colin Montgomerie and his fellow Scot Richie Ramsay, the US Amateur champion, shot 76.
Padraig Harrington hit a wedge into the water for a triple bogey eight at the 15th en route to a 77, Lee Westwood had eight on the 13th in his 79, a score matched by Paul Casey playing with Woods and by Sandy Lyle.
They all returned hoping they might still make the cut, but surely heading out are Darren Clarke after his worst-ever 83 and Seve Ballesteros 86. PA
