Immelman Leads Masters

AUGUSTA, Georgia (Ticker) - Trevor Immelman leads The Masters at 8-under-par 136 heading into Saturday's third round at Augusta National. The South African carded his second consecutive 4-under-par 68 on Friday to forge a one-stroke lead over Brandt Snedeker through 36 holes.

Two-time Masters champion Phil Mickelson, Ian Poulter and Steve Flesch are locked in a tie for third at 5-under. World No. 1 Tiger Woods is seven strokes off the pace after carding a 1-under 71 on Friday. While Woods struggled to build momentum and first-round co-leader Justin Rose came apart on the back nine, Immelman pieced together another solid round with five birdies and one bogey. Immelman's slip came at the par-3 sixth, where he three-putted for his first bogey of the tournament. He rebounded with three birdies over the final nine holes, including Nos. 17 and 18.

Flesch made his move up the leaderboard with a 5-under 67 - the lowest round of the tournament. The American did all his scoring on the four par-5s, recording three birdies and an eagle at No. 13. Woods had a late tee time Friday and remained inconsistent, carding four birdies and three bogeys.

At 1-under 143, he is tied for 13th. Snedeker was tied for the lead on the back nine before Immelman completed his round with back-to-back birdies. After a bogey at 16, Snedeker birdied the two final holes as well to close the gap to one stroke.

Rose was tied with Immelman for the lead after the first round, but found things much tougher Friday afternoon. Rose played the front nine in 2-over and couldn't pull it together coming in. He triple-bogeyed the par-5 15th and followed it up with a three-putt bogey at 16. A 6-over 78 put Rose at 2-over 146 for the tournament.

Canadian Stephen Ames and England's Paul Casey are tied for sixth at 4-under 140. Stewart Cink, Arron Oberholser and Mike Weir are tied for eighth at 3-under 141.

The pre-tournament build-up was centered around Woods' quest for a Grand Slam. But before he can win all four majors, he'll have to make himself a factor in this one, as Mickelson did on Friday. Looking for his third green jacket, Mickelson avoided the big mistake that has become as much a calling card for him as has his incredible shot-making. He had four birdies without a bogey and drained a 30-footer on 17 for his final birdie of the day.

Woods also scattered some birdies in his round, and it was about time. He snapped a 34-hole birdie drought at Augusta National with one to start the round, but he promptly bogeyed the par-5 second after dumping his third shot into a greenside bunker. Woods also bogeyed the par-3 sixth but birdied the par-5 eighth and nearly chipped in for birdie on nine from the back fringe. But instead of picking up steam, Woods started the back nine with a bogey at No. 10. Woods' final birdie came at 17 after he lasered his approach inside of three feet. He nearly gave the shot back, hitting his tee shot on 18 right into the pines, but he hooked a shot out of the trees into the 10th fairway and was able to get up-and-down for par.