Bubba Watson, seeking his second Masters title in three seasons, seized command in second round at Augusta National with five birdies in a row on the back nine.
The 35-year-old American left-hander, who beat Louis Oosthuizen in a playoff for the 2012 crown, fired a four-under par 68 to stand on seven-under 137 after 36 holes, grabbing a three-shot lead over Australian John Senden in quest for his second career major title.
"I felt really good," Watson said. "It's not science here. It's try to hit the greens and if you're hitting the greens that means you're obviously hitting your tee shots well. That's what I've done the last two days and it's worked out so far."
In Masters history, there has never been a longer birdie streak before the weekend than Watson's run and only five longer ones at any stage in the event.
"You're so focused on what you are doing, you are not really thinking you have just had three in a row, four in a row," Watson said.
"It's one of those things. Everyone has had that stretch before, playing with their buddies or playing in a tournament, so it's not that big a deal when we think about it.
"But at the Masters, it makes it a big deal."
Watson, whose first win after claiming the green jacket came only two months ago at Riviera, struggled with demands on him last year as defending champion and only managed a share of 50th.
"This year I'm trying to get the green jacket back," Watson said. "You want that feeling again. You want it back. Somehow I'm lost in the crowd. I can go through the practice rounds, not too much media attention.
