Brilliant Bubba looks in the mood in Georgia

Bubba Golf returned to Augusta National last night as 2012 Masters winner Watson, unburdened by the pressures of being defending champion, jumped out into a clear lead at the halfway stage as Rory McIlroy struggled to stay in touch.

It was left-hander Watson who two years ago gave golf a jolt in the arm with his spirited and creative approach to this most traditional of places, winning his first major courtesy of a miraculous, right-angled hook out of the pine straw at the 11th hole to land a green jacket and win a play-off at the second hole from Louis Oosthuizen.

A year on, the responsibilities that fall on a Masters champion took their toll with three over-par rounds including a closing 77 in a title defence that finish in a tie for 50th place.