(MENAFN- Kora) Watson was a shot off the pace heading into the second day but a blitz of five birdies in succession on the back nine helped the american to a round of 68 in perfect conditions at augusta.
The 2012 champion is three shots clear of high-flying australian john senden who sunk six birdies throughout the day for a 68.
Overnight leader bill haas crashed down the leaderboard shooting a 78 to be eight shots behind watson at two over.
Defending champion adam scott endured a mixed day on the green but recovered with an even-par 72 to be four shots off the pace.
Scott was second overnight but back-to-back bogeys at the fourth and fifth left the australian star reeling though he recovered with three birdies on the back nine to remain in the hunt for the green jacket.
Dane thomas bjorn (68) sweden's jonas blixt (71) and american jordan spieth (70) were also three under at the close of play.
Also in contention are american trio fred couples (71) jimmy walker (72) and jim furyk (68) who are tied for seventh at two under.
Watson's masters triumph two years ago remains one of the most memorable sights in recent memory at augusta though there had been doubts about whether he could repeat that feat.
The 35-year-old has gone a long way to silence those critics after surging clear heading to the weekend.
Watson who went bogey-free on day one produced another steady opening to the day going even par on his opening six holes before executing his birdie putt at the seventh.
A bogey at the ninth was only a minor hiccup for watson who hit five straight birdies from 12 through 16.
Watson fell two holes short of a the masters record for consecutive birdies which stands at seven - steve pate (1999) and tiger woods (2005).
A group of five players - kevin streelman (71) stephen gallacher (72) russell henley (70) kevin stadler (73) and jamie donaldson (70) - are tied at one under.
Louis oosthuizen (75) and lee westwood (71) are also in the hunt at even par.
One of the pre-tournament fancies rory mcilroy faltered to be four over after his round of 77 which included five bogeys.
Australia's jason day is alongside the northern irishman after his 73.
It was a day to forget for three-time winner phil mickelson luke donald sergio garcia ernie els charl schwartzel web simpson and marc leishman who all missed the cut at five over.
Legal Disclaimer:
MENAFN provides the information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.