Tiger Woods Back in Contention at Masters

Lee Westwood and Ian Poulter might have shared the 36-hole lead at The Masters on Friday, but the name on most every golf fan's mind - and probably on Westwood's and Poulter's, as well - was that of the guy lurking two shots off the pace.

Tiger Woods.

Yes, the world's No. 1 golfer is back.

Back in a tournament for the first time since November of 2009 after a five-month layoff.

Back at Augusta National Golf Club, where he's won four times, including his record-shattering victory in 1997.

Back in contention for a major championship, of which he already has 14.

So as far as the PGA Tour and CBS are concerned, all is right with the world as the first major of the 2010 season heads into the weekend; with Woods in contention, TV ratings and advertising dollars skyrocket.

Woods showed on Thursday there was little to no rust from his five-month layoff when he opened his first round of tournament golf since November with a 4-under-par 68. Woods remained poised, even as a plane flew over Augusta National carrying a banner that ripped the golfer for his marital infidelity and the sex scandal that came to light following a car crash outside his Florida home early in the morning after Thanksgiving.

He put together a Tiger-like round that could have been even better, if not for a few missed putts.

On Friday, Woods carded a 70 to move into a five-way tie for third place with Phil Mickelson, Ricky Barnes, Anthony Kim and Woods' player partner, K.J. Choi, at 6-under 138, two shots behind Poulter and Westwood.

Poulter stayed bogey-free until the 18th hole, and finished with a second consecutive round of 68. Westwood turned in a 69 after opening the tournament Thursday with a 5-under 67.

Don't blame the two Englishmen if they're looking over their shoulders a bit this weekend. Both are atop the leaderboard at a major tournament for the first time, and the pack that's two strokes behind boasts six Masters trophies - four for Woods and two for Mickelson.

Woods has been in the top three heading into the weekend three different times at The Masters, and he's won the tournament all three times.

Between that, and the fact that his swing looks as good as ever, Poulter and Westwood will have their work cut out trying to maintain that lead.

Woods scrambled a bit on Friday, saving par several times with clutch putts. But he continued storming past the par-5 holes (he's 8-under on them through two rounds) with three birdies on Friday. The lone blemish on Woods' second-round card was a bogey at the par-3 fourth hole, but he recovered and followed that with a string of eight consecutive pars.

Woods generally gets stronger as tournaments go, so it'll be interesting to see how he performs over the weekend. If he falters at all, there are nine other players within five shots of Poulter and Westwood who would gladly take his place as the biggest threat to move into the lead.

But Tiger, falter? At The Masters?

Don't count on it.

The Masters Second-Round Leaders

Ian Poulter68-68 -136

Lee Westwood67-69 -136

Tiger Woods68-70 -138

K.J. Choi67-71 -138

Ricky Barnes68-70 -138

Anthony Kim68-70 -138

Phil Mickelson67-71 -138

The 2010 Masters Tournament Scoring, PGA Tour

Leaderboard, The Masters