South Korean KJ Choi birdied three of the first six holes yesterday to seize a share of the lead with Spain's Alvaro Quiros early in the second round of the 75th Masters.


KJ Choi

Choi, who shared fourth in last year's Masters, birdied the par-5 second and par-3 fourth and sixth holes to reach eight-under par, where he stood at the turn.

Quiros, who began with a bogey, birdied the par-4 seventh and par-5 eighth to move level with Choi. Top-ranked Martin Kaymer, a German who has never reached the weekend at Augusta National, opened on 78 and looks set to again miss the Masters cut while Westwood, last year's Masters runner-up, opened with a 72.

Tiger Woods, a 14-time major champion chasing the record 18 majors won by Jack Nicklaus, will tee off in the penultimate group. He opened with a 71 in quest of his fifth Masters title.