AUGUSTA, Ga., April 8 (UPI) -- Rory McIlroy took the lead at the Masters Friday and then found that to win his first major title he would have to fight off a suddenly resurgent Tiger Woods.
On another gorgeous day at the Augusta National Golf Club, the 75th Masters produced the prospect of a fascinating weekend duel between one of the best of the game's new generation and the player who defined the sport for more than 10 years before scandal derailed his personal life as well as his game.
McIlroy, 21, shot a 3-under 69 Friday to give him a 36-hole total of 10-under 134. He suffered his first bogey of the tournament when he put his tee shot at the par-4 12th into a bunker.
Jason Day, who at 23 is another of the sport's rising stars, played in the same pairing with McIlroy and finished one shot out of the lead. Day made seven birdies over the last 11 holes, including one at the par-4 ninth after he hit an amazing shot off the pine straw to within 3 feet of the cup.
McIlroy and Day were the only two players ahead of Woods at the tournament's midway point.
Woods, winless since his personal life began to deteriorate late in 2009, had played an indifferent opening round and bogeyed two of the first three holes Friday. He then put on a display that became commonplace during a career that has included 14 major titles and a lock on the No. 1 spot in the world rankings for more than a decade.
Woods twice birdied three holes in a row, holed a 12-foot putt for a birdie at the 18th and shot a 66 to finish at 7-under 137. He was tied for third with K.J. Choi, who posted a 70.
Geoff Ogilvy and first-round co-leader Alvaro Quiros shared fifth place at 138. The group at 139 included Rickie Fowler, Ricky Barnes, Lee Westwood, Y.E. Yang and 51-year-old Fred Couples, who shot a 68 and gave himself at least an outside chance of becoming the oldest major champion in golf history.
Defending champion Phil Mickelson posted a disappointing 72 that left him eight shots off the lead.
Fifty players made the cut, which came at 1-over 145. Among those missing out on the weekend's action were Padraig Harrington, Hunter Mahan, current U.S. Open champion Graeme McDowell, world No. 1 Martin Kaymer and Retief Goosen, who shot a 5-under 31 on the front nine Thursday and then played the next 27 holes in 9-over.
