The News Courier in Athens, Alabama

April 6, 2012

Westwood protects lead, but has company at Masters


Associated Press

AUGUSTA, Ga. (AP) — Lee Westwood made nine straight pars to open his second round at the Masters and ended up right where he started — in the lead at 5-under par.

Westwood, in search of his first major title, did have company, though. Peter Hanson started Friday's second round with a double bogey, but followed that with three straight birdies to join Westwood at 5 under on a blustery day at Augusta National.

Rory McIlroy was making an early charge with three birdies to get to 4 under.

Another shot back was a group of six, including Ben Crane, Jason Dufner and Sergio Garcia.