PATRICK REED and Marc Leishman are doing their best to make the Masters a two-way fight for the title.
Steely American ace Reed and Aussie star Leish played some scintillating golf in the second round to open up a sizeable gap on the rest of the field.
Reed fired a 66 for nine under and leads Leishman, who hit 67, by two at Augusta.
Henrik Stenson lies third on five under and sharing fourth are Rory McIlroy and Jordan Spieth but they are five off the pace with work to do.
Behind them is a host of big names with Bubba Watson, Justin Thomas, Dustin Johnson and Justin Rose all within shooting distance.
Most of the big names made the cut but the likes of Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson, Paul Casey and Ian Poulter look too far back.
And spare a thought for defending champion Sergio Garcia who finished joint last pro mainly due to his horror 13 at the 15th yesterday. He can't even slope off home as he has to present the winner with his Green Jacket on Sunday night.
Reed is 4-1 favourite with Betfred ahead of Spieth and McIlroy who are 13-2 at Unibet. Leishman is the same price at Betway. Johnson and Thomas are 12-1 at 188BET with Stenson 14-1 at Betfred.
Ace has posted two ball tip as the member bets and I've picked a low-stakes treble – if you prefer less risk take singles or doubles.
The forecast for Augusta, especially late, is heavy rain and that will favour longer hitters such as McIlroy and Johnson. If it pans out that way I'd expect Johnson to beat the shorter-hitting Spieth.
Tony Finau is a long hitter but it looks like adrenaline got him through the first day when he played with an injured ankle. Struggles yesterday and I fancy world No.2 Justin Thomas to make a move on Moving Day and see him off.
Leader Reed was the most impressive performer yesterday and if his putter stays hot he could have another good. He says loves bad weather as he experiences it in Texas “almost every day” while Aussie Marc Leishman prefers dry conditions.
I've taken prices that offer draw at 8-1 so a tie won't be voided but most bookies offer win or lose as well with the tie void but of course prices are shorter.
And if you're a Gold or Silver Member don't miss the chance to grab a free fiver on the outright winner today. I've 20 x £5s to give away from Bet365 to the first members that claim them. Details over here.
Two Ball Treble
- Thomas to bt Finau (7pm)
- D Johnson to bt Spieth (7.10pm)
- Reed to bt Leishman (7.30pm)
- (6-1, Paddy Power)
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Have Reed e/w, along with Kuchar, Fowler and Matsuyama, hopefully Reed can keep it up and one of the others nick a place.