2012 Masters champ Watson second round leader

Bubba Watson is in control of the Masters Tournament through two rounds.

Watson reeled off five consecutive birdies on the back nine for a 4-under-par 68 earlier today. At the halfway point, Watson is 7-under and leads John Senden (68) by three shots.

Watson and Senden will go off in the final pairing of the third round.

Thomas Bjorn shot 68 in the second round and is tied with Jonas Blixt (71), defending champ Adam Scott (72) – No. 2 in the world – and Jordan Spieth (70). Fred Couples, the 1992 Masters champion, carded his second consecutive 71 and is tied at 2-under with Jimmy Walker (72) and Jim Furyk (68).

Henrik Stenson, No. 3 in the world, shot 72 and is 1-over. Australian Jason Day (No. 4) posted 73 and got in on the cutline at 4-over. Rory McIlroy shot 77 and also got in at 4-over.

Phil Mickelson missed the cut for the first time since 1997. Mickelson shot 73 to finish at 5-over. Other notables to miss the cut, include Luke Donald (5-over), Sergio Garcia (5-over), Charl Schwartzel (5-over), Zach Johnson (6-over), Graeme McDowell (6-over) and Dustin Johnson (7-over).

Former Augusta State standout Patrick Reed, in his first major appearance, bogeyed the first four holes and never recovered. He shot 79 in the second round for a 8-over total.

Watson was 3-under on his round until he hit his tee shot stiff at No. 12 for birdie. He added birdies at Nos. 13, 14 and 15. At the par-3 16th, he fired his tee shot to four feet, setting up another birdie. Watson, who missed the green and made bogey at No. 18, needed just 24 putts for the day.

Thomas Bjorn shot 68 in the second round and sits at 3-under at the halfway point. Earlier in the day, Kevin Streelman shot 71 for a 143 total.

Oliver Goss was the only amateur to make the cut and will win Low Amateur honors. He shot 71 in the second round and is 3-over for the tournament.