21-Year-old Northern Irishman Rory McIlroy holds a two-shot lead after two rounds at the Masters, but the big news out of Augusta on Friday was the charge up the leaderboard by two of the tournament's most familiar faces.

In the morning, it was perennial fan favorite Fred Couples turning back the clock for the second year in a row with a string of early birdies. The 51-year-old's round of 68 positioned him in a tie for seventh place.

Then the second half of the day belonged to Tiger Woods.

Showing off the kind of form he has rarely displayed since his bizarre November of 2009 accident involving a Cadillac Escalade, a fire hydrant and a tree, the five-time Masters winner’s five birdies on the back nine catapulted him to an overall score of seven under par, which was good for a third place tie with K.J. Choi.

Jason Day, at eight under, sits in second place, two shots behind McIlory. Pre-tournament favorite Phil Mickelson’s two under par was good for a 20th place tie heading into Saturday’s play.

Among those cut Friday were world number one Martin Kaymer, world number five Graeme McDowell and former Masters winners Zach Johnson and Vijay Singh.

- Contributed by Jeremy Taylor

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