Aaron Baddeley produced a stirring fightback to put himself right in the mix, as Fred Couples produced another vintage display to lead after round two of the Masters.
After finding himself just three off the lead through three holes Baddeley dropped four shots in a three-hole stretch to seemingly throw away his chances, but then birdied four of his last 11 holes to post a second successive one-under 71.
It moved the Victorian to two-under for the tournament in a tie for 11th, just three back from the mercurial Couples (67) and fellow American Jason Dufner (70) who sit at five-under-par.
Couples, the winner of the green jacket in 1992, continued his love affair with Augusta National.
In 27 starts he has made 25 cuts and amassed 16 top 25 finishes to go with his victory.
His scoring average is better than legends like Jack Nicklaus and Tom Watson who have eight green jackets between them.
“Five-under was an incredible round, a very, very good round,” Couples said.
“For me to be a part of it, it’s really amazing. I’m very thrilled with the way I played today.”
Baddeley ensured there was some joy for Australian fans as 2011 runner-up Jason Day was forced to withdraw with an ankle injury after just seven and a half holes.
John Senden (+6) and amateur Bryden Macpherson (+9) failed to make the cut while Adam Scott (+1) and Geoff Ogilvy (+2) remain outside chances should they make a charge on Saturday.
Five players are tied third just one shot off the lead, including major winners Rory McIlroy (69) and Louis Oosthuizen (72) plus Lee Westwood (73), Sergio Garcia (68) and Bubba Watson (71).
Baddeley started his round with an unlucky bogey, his par putt almost doing a full 360 degree lip out.
But he shook off any disappointment with two consecutive great wedge approaches to two-feet for back-to-back birdies.
The 31-year-old made a great up and down for par from a bunker at the fourth before the drama occurred on the fifth hole.
Baddeley blocked his drive well right into dense bush and after not being able to find a suitable drop site was forced back to re-tee.
Despite a nice drive he flipped his approach left into a bunker and then failed to get up and down for a costly seven.
Another bogey two holes later dropped him to two over for the tournament, seven shots back and seemingly battling just to make the cut. But rather than throw away his tournament, Baddeley birdied the eighth hole, did the same on the 10th and then rolled in a 35foot bomb for another on the tricky par three 12th to put himself right back amongst it.
Despite not being able to take advantage on the back nine par fives Baddeley hit a great cut into the 18th green and made a clever 15footer to get within three.
“I messed up five so I’m thrilled to be under par for the day,” Baddeley said.
“I thought if I got something under par I’d be thereabouts.
“It’s a packed leaderboard. Anyone can win. There are so many guys at four and three and two. One-over could still win the golf tournament.”
Tiger Woods continued to struggle, dropping to three-over with a 75. The former world No.1 was a frustrated sight, cursing and even kicking clubs.
