9 Apr 2012

Sizzling Oosthuizen leads, Woods makes quiet exit

9:29 am on 9 April 2012

South Africa's Louis Oosthuizen has grabbed the US Masters lead in sensational fashion this morning while Phil Mickelson sputtered and Tiger Woods faded out of the tournament.

Oosthuizen is two strokes ahead of the chasing pack at nine under after seven holes, having taken control when he holed out from the fairway at the par-five second for a rare albatross two.

Overnight leader Peter Hanson of Sweden, Americans Bubba Watson, and Matt Kuchar are tied for second at Augusta.

Triple major winner Padraig Harrington of Ireland is a further shot back at six under, after eight holes.

Phil Mickelson, bidding for a fourth jacket, had been one stroke behind overnight but he fell back with an adventurous triple-bogey at the par-three fourth.

Four-times champion Tiger Woods made a humbling exit from the tournament after battling his way to a two-over-par 74 and a five-over total of 293, his worst Masters finish as a professional.