Justin Rose, who is currently tied fourth on three under, speaking on Sky Sports: "A round of 69, I would have absolutely taken that.

"Late last night we had the rain which has made the soft greens so obviously that is one less thing to think about. 

"We’re all trying to figure out with our caddies how much wind effect the ball. The downwind holes are birdie holes but by the time we get to Saturday I think they will be as tricky as the into the wind holes."

Marvellous news, Richard. Do tell me where you're following from. Send pictures too. Danny Lee, the Kiwi, has parred the 14th. He's three behind Spieth. McIlroy, on the 10th, has biffed a right-to-lefter off the tee.  

Jay Townsend
Former American professional golfer on BBC Radio 5 live sports extra

"The good news for Rory is he is making birdies. That means he is hitting good shots. He just needs to cut down on the mistakes. That just shows how good Jordan Spieth’s round was, to go around bogey-free."

And Rory? Steady. Three birdies in the front nine, but one shot dropped too. Two under at the turn.

Better than wonderful at Augusta today. A breeze, yes, but the sun is bright enough to reflect off the club head of a shiny wedge. Speaking of shining, Jordan Spieth has done just that, but he's being hunted by Irishman Shane Lowry, who possesses the beard and belly of a grizzly bear.

Thanks Luke, Stephan Shemilt back in the chair for a little while. What have I missed? Ernie did what?

Danny Lee has made it to three under and he's in the first cut on 14. He fizzes the club face through the grass and picks the ball up beautifully. A nice bounce needed? Ah, could have been a lot kinder. Some 30ft left for birdie.

Jason Day on the 12th which has caused many players a problem today, he'll take par. His birdie attempt is six inches out.

Ian Poulter brought out the big guns to make the 13th green in two, setting up eagle. Putt one slides away but it's a nice length and a tap in from three feet gets it done.

Rory McIlroy is nearing the turn and his iron uphill into this green is nicely judged, a little bit of check for added style and around eight foot left for birdie.

Image source, AP

After carding that 10 at the first, Ernie Els had, not recovered, but, held firm.

He managed to remain six over to the 11th, but things then took another turn for the worse.

A double bogey has left the Big Easy eight over.

Rich Beresford: 22% think Rory McIlroy can win the Masters? His putting is no way near where it needs to be to win another Major at the moment.

Our vote put Jordan Spieth out as the choice to win the tournament on 24%.

Jason Day is one brave man with the short stick in his hand. He dribbles his par save at the cup on 11 and it threatens to die before the hole but takes the pull of gravity and drops. Considering he was in big trouble off the tee that's a result.

Danny Willett is in inspired form on nine, judging a break perfectly to make the turn two under in 34. Willett has recently become a father. Will tiredness from night feeds and broken sleep show up down the back nine?

Image source, EPA

Jay Townsend
Former American professional golfer on BBC Radio 5 live sports extra

"In windy conditions even though Spieth teed off in middle of the day, it was a great round. Under normal conditions that’s like shooting 63 or 64. It did look flawless. Every time I looked up he in correct position his iron control was amazing."

Iain Carter
BBC golf correspondent at Augusta National

"It has been a steady start for McIlroy. Conditions are difficult. It is a fluctuating breeze."

Image source, AP

Rory McIlroy needs to get something going if he's to threaten the top of the leaderboard this evening. 

He has around 12ft left on this par five - remember, you really need to hurt these par fives at Augusta. It's a clean strike but he pulls it a little and par will have to do for now.

Iain Carter
BBC golf correspondent at Augusta National

"It has been still for three or four minutes and then suddenly the wind gets up. Just to highlight the wind, twice today we have seen litter tip toeing its’ way across the green. You never see litter at Augusta!"

Now then, our vote closed a few minutes ago, with a rather unsurprising result.

24% of you think that Jordan Spieth will win this year's Masters, not a shock considering what he's done today.

Rory McIlroy still has plenty of support, with 22% of the vote, while 14% are backing world number one Jason Day.

Ernie Els wasn't an option...

Two very good putts on 12, one for Ian Poulter from a full 30ft to save par, the other a bogey-save for Bubba Watson. Both these men found the sand and one of them paid with a shot.

Jason Day will not be making up any shots on 11 as he's in the trees off the tee. If you go down to the woods today you'll find Day hacking one up short of the green on this par four.

Back to Bubba on 13, FORE. Trees take a pounding. And now Day, can he stick this close to make par a formality, nice strike, a little bounce but he needed more and that's 10ft left for a save.

Image source, Getty Images