Lyle leading European with McDowell after birdie blitz

SANDY Lyle, champion in 1988, was the joint leading European with Graeme McDowell on two under alongside Tiger Woods, midway through the second round of the US Masters.

Lyle opened the tournament with a double-bogey 6, but five successive birdies from the 13th lifted him to three-under before he bogeyed the last for a 70 and 142.

Lyle, asked to explain his five successive birdies, replied: "Not too sure myself. I knew after nine holes I had a bit of work to do as I was two over for the tournament. I had in the back of my mind the ten-shot margin was out of the window as Chad Campbell was 11 under at the time and I really had to play to get back in again.

"I am happy to be playing the weekend for the third year in a row and might be playing with Tiger – you never know.

"Even when you play well it is still hard work and under par is still nerve-wracking. It tests you to the limit, especially the greens. Trouble lurks everywhere round here."

Northern Ireland's McDowell carded a 73 to be two under par and was left to rue a six on the long 15th, where he went for the green in two and saw his ball sail 40 yards over the green.

"I thought it might reach the water," he said. "I played it as wind against, but it's very difficult to pick it and it left me in a horrible place. I was happy to walk off with a six in the end." He needed two chips to make the fringe, sent a putt seven feet by, but made it coming back.

"A 73 is a little disappointing, but I think the course is only going to get trickier. That's Augusta – it gives and takes away just as fast. I couldn't believe Chad had got to 11 under, but I see he's leaking some oil now."

Ian Poulter carded 73 to be level par, the same as Houston Open winner Paul Casey.