That question I posed about the last Masters weekend to be without both Tiger and Mickelson - the answer is 1994. The winner that year was Jose Maria Olazabal. Is that an omen for another European winner 20 years on?

Rory McIlroy has begun his round with a par at the first, while KJ Choi has dropped one at four to go back to three under. At the moment, Bubba Watson's nearest challengers are the four-under pair of Bill Haas and Kevin Stadler. Stadler has parred his last five to 10, while Haas is on the fourth having dropped and then regained a stroke today.

Thomas Bjorn, who finished the day on three under: "I did really well to be honest, I hit great shots, got in good positions and holed some good putts. My golf was really solid. There were some bogeys in there, but Augusta is always going to throw those at you.

"It was a similar set-up to yesterday, but it is getting firmer as the days go on.

"It is tough and you can't take on any stupid shots, but it is doable and it is about making those decisions.

"I feel like I am playing solidly. I will see what the next few days bring."

With Phil Mickelson looking less and less likely to make the cut, we ponder when the last time a Masters weekend was without both Mickelson and Tiger Woods?

Braunau or Never:, external ‏RE 1904. I'd take being a "flat-track bully" with stats like that if it won me 3 Green Jackets!

I tell you what, Bubba Watson could be miles ahead by the close of play today. He rolls in a fourth birdie on the spin at the 15th to move to seven under par, three ahead of a three-man group on four under. It's Bubba golf at Augusta - Rory McIlroy, Adam Scott et al, what have you got?

Big news from the first, where defending champion Adam Scott has started his day with a blemish on his card. A bogey five sees him drop to two under, four off Bubba Watson. We wondered how big an advantage the early starters might have, and it's starting to look considerable.

I'm sorry to focus so heavily on a man currently at seven over par, but the troubles of Phil Mickelson are compelling viewing. The three-time champion, white shirt and black trousers, looks absolutely perplexed as he studies his ball at the bottom of an azalea bush on 13. On this hole, by the way, he is -66 over 79 career rounds. He eventually lobs out to rejoin the fairway.

While Mickelson was unravelling on 12, Rory McIlroy was setting off in the final group of the second round. Perhaps with a little frustration to burn, Leftie gave his tee shot on 13 absolutely everything. He's wellied it straight into the trees on the left of the fairway. Have you backed Mickelson? Your race may be run.

"He's a flat-track bully" mutters one man on the live text desk as we consider these Augusta career statistics of Phil Mickelson. Have a look at these and tell us if you agree:

Par 3s: 51-over par

Par 4s: 46-over

Par 5s: 166-under

Meanwhile, another left-handed former Masters champion is pulling away at the top of the leaderboard. Bubba Watson birdies the par-four 14th to become the first man to six under par this week. He has a two-shot lead all to himself. Mickelson eventually cards a triple bogey on 12 and falls back to seven over. The projected cut is currently at four over and better.

Mickelson blasts at his shoes with his club, walks over to the front bunker and opts for a change of wedge. For his third chip out of a bunker, he does at least avoid more sand, but he's way past the pin and will have a 20-footer for a double bogey. "There's no sand in the bunker," he moans. He's heading to at least six over and is danger of missing the weekend.

Image source, Getty Images

My word, Phil Mickelson is in all sorts of trouble on 12. From the bunker at the front of the green, he's going right to the back and into more sand. He's dropping at least one here. Third shot from the back. I don't believe this. He's flown over the green and he's back in the front bunker.

Our first look at Lee Westwood today reveals a lime green shirt coupled with white trousers. From the 11th fairway he's on the dancefloor and will have a 25-footer uphill for birdie. Justin Rose is on the putting surface at 12.

Rob Hodgetts
BBC Sport at Augusta National

Imagine you are staying in one of Augusta's cabins with a few mates and one evening you fancy a few holes. You've already played 54 around the National that day and fancy something a bit different.

Why not have a game of cross country? Don't worry, you won't get caught. So what would be the holes? There are myriad possibilities, but I'll kick off by starting from the sixth tee around the corner to the 13th green. You'd have to get over the lake by 16, the lake by the 15th green and then turn almost back on yourself to fire over the tributary of Rae's Creek in front of 13.

Or you could go from the 15th tee back down the 14th fairway, turn left onto the 13th fairway and shoot for the 12th green. Or what about "Giant Redwood", as I'm calling it in keeping with Augusta's floral naming convention? It's a par nine from the 10th tee to the fifth green. Any route you like.

On day one, Augusta was bathed in the Georgia sunshine, but it's a little gloomier today. Don't get me wrong, it's more than pleasant, but the heat has been turned down a couple of notches. Phil Mickelson on the par-three 12th. Ooohhhs and aaahhhs as he swings off the tee - a dump straight into the greenside bunker.

Louis Oosthuizen finishes his up-and-down round with a bogey on 18 to end the day on level par. An eagle on 13 got the South African to four under, but he imploded with a triple-bogey eight on 15.

KJ Choi has birdied the first two holes to move from two under to four under, a shot behind leader Bubba Watson. Phil Mickelson has played a wonderful chip over the greenside bunker on 11, but Keegan Bradley is building sandcastles on 12.

Thanks Mike. I arrive just before defending champion Adam Scott takes to the first tee. He's in the penultimate group with Jason Dufner, and English amateur Matthew Fitzpatrick. Jordan Spieth, Patrick Reed, and Rory McIlroy, will follow them as the last group down the first.

Time for a change at the controls. Mike Henson tagging out, Stephan Shemilt tagging in.