Whoosh. Rickie Fowler launches into a blistering drive on 15, reckon he fancies reaching this in two. No chance from there. He's in the pine straw.

Jordan Spieth, one of his rivals in pursuit of Charley Hoffman, is lining up his second shot on the last. Nailed it. On the top tier of the green for two.

Charley Hoffman has found the trees on 14 but he pulls out a chainsaw and smokes his ball through a gap to the green. A long way from the hole, with Sergio Garcia much closer in.

Justin Rose from the middle of the 17th fairway. A good look at the green and he finds the middle of it, about 20 feet short of the hole. I'm sure he'd take a two-putt par from there.

There have only been four birdies on the 17th today. But there's a fifth. Rose. On. The. Charge.

Stroke of luck Sergio Garcia. Is this his year? The Spaniard's second to the par-five 13th looks for all the world it's in Rae's Creek. Even Sergio is looking forlorn.

The camera pans out and it's stuck on the bank. Can he make the most of his good fortune?

He certainly can. A chip to a foot and a tap-in birdie to get back to five under.

But Charley Hoffman's not giving this lead up easily. He bends in a birdie putt to move to seven under.

Not often you see this. Jordan Spieth misreads a birdie chance. 

Over on 14, Rickie Fowler is scrambling to save par. Got it.

These two are neck and neck.

Justin Rose and Adam Scott fail to reach the back of the 16th green with their tee shots so will have long, slow uphill putts.

The Englishman makes a slightly better fist of it, leaving himself another uphill drag. In she pops to stay four under.

Scott, went past the hole so his is a bit trickier down the hill but he's staying put too. At three under.

The highlight of Charl Schwartzel's round was undoubtedly his eagle at the 15th, which took him to two under - the score on which he has concluded his round.

It leaves the 2011 champion with a chance of getting into the mix on Sunday.

Image source, #bbcgolf

Jordan Spieth bounced back brilliantly from his previous bogey. Let's see how he responds this time...

On the 17th green for two, another chance for a birdie.

Seeing your ball hit the front edge of the green and then skulk back down the hill towards you is a horrible feeling. Especially at Augusta. 

Rickie Fowler knows the feeling. His second shot on the par-four 14th ends up short. Work to do.

Right, where are we?

Charley Hoffman is out on his own at the front, two shots ahead of a little cluster of five men.

Jordan Spieth, Ryan Moore, Justin Rose, Rickie Fowler and Sergio Garcia are all scrapping for position behind him.

Finally. Augusta gets one up on Jordan Spieth. The two-time major winner three putts on the 16th green, meaning he drops a shot for the first time in 30 holes.

Image source, Getty Images

Justin Rose for birdie on 15 to get within two of the lead. His putter kisses his ball as much delicacy as you'd say goodnight to your granny. It's enough though. Straight into the middle.

Jordan Spieth with yet another birdie chance, this time on 16, this time very slim. If he cans this, I'll give him the money myself. Must be 60-feet away. He gives it a good shove, but it lacks pace. About six feet left to avoid a first bogey in about a day and a half.

Justin Rose from the middle of the 15th fairway drills one over the pond but there's no bite and his ball skips through to the rough at the back.

The Englishman's chip for eagle meanders towards the hole without ever threatening.

Back on 12 and Charley Hoffman is safely in for par to stay one in front of Jordan Spieth on six under.

Garcia, trying to join Spieth, but he doesn't hit another putt and it misses on the low side. Stays at four under

Fred Couples sinks a monster putt on 14. It is only for par but it keeps him two under.

Anything one experienced pro can do, another can do just as well. Over to the last, where Ernie Els matches Couples by sinking a long-range belter of his own for a birdie.

Unfortunately, Ernie is +14 for the tournament and last of those who made the cut.

Is this Rickie Fowler's charge back up the leaderboard? Hope so. I've got a fiver on him. He creams his second shot on the par-five 13th, ball meeting green with a hop, skip and a jump. It runs to the back fringe, but one can't complain.

Meanwhile, up on 17, McIlroy has gone bird-watching in the trees. Trouble town.

Sergio Garcia is looking his ball up and down on the par-three 12th. I think he likes this tee shot. And why not? It thuds about 15 feet over the pin and spins back a couple.

Charley Hoffman's effort just misses the back edge.

Peter Alliss
BBC Sport commentator at Augusta

I think he might walk across the water.