Leishman grabs early lead in Masters

Australian golfer opens with three birdies in second round.

AUGUSTA: Australia’s Marc Leishman opened with three birdies Friday to seize the early second-round lead at the 78th Masters with major winners Bubba Watson and Louis Oosthuizen in hot pursuit.

Leishman, who only qualified for the Masters based on his major career-best fourth place showing last year at Augusta National, opened with a 70 but his sizzling start put him atop the leaderboard at five-under par.

The 30-year-old from Warnambool, who is ranked 69th in the world, won his only US PGA title at the 2012 Travelers Championship.

Bill Haas, who fired a four-under 68 to lead the field of 97 after 18 holes, was among those set to tee off in the final groups of the afternoon.

Defending champion Adam Scott of Australia was in the penultimate group while two-time major winner Rory McIlroy was set to be the last man off the tee after opening on 71.

Watson, the 2012 Masters champion from the US who said he struggled with the ceremonial responsibilities last year as defending champion, opened with four pars to stay level with Scott on three under.

Among those players with concern about reaching the weekend after poor starts are three reigning major champions - British Open champion Phil Mickelson (76), US Open champion Justin Rose (76) and 2013 PGA Championship winner Jason Dufner (80).

Also seeking a turnaround are Ernie Els (75), Jason Day (75), 2013 Masters runner-up Angel Cabrera (78) and England’s Luke Donald (79).

Published in The Express Tribune, April 12^th, 2014.

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