Two years after his triumphant moment at the season’s first major championship, Bubba Watson is ready for another sampling of that delicious taste of victory that supplants any menu at the Champion’s Dinner.

The 35-year-old, who defeated Louis Oosthuizen in a dramatic playoff in 2012, underlined his credentials on the domineering challenge that is Augusta National, with a barrage of birdies on the back-nine to secure the halfway lead.

Following his opening round of 69 on Thursday, Watson was even par for the day after making par on the treacherous 11th. It was from this point that the mercurial Floridian would come alive, with five successive birdies being recorded from the 12th to 16th. In fact, he very nearly made a hole in one on that deceptively tranquil second par three on the second nine.

At this stage he was four shots clear, (one off the 36-hole record lead), before a disappointing finish on the 18th. He missed a short par putt to capitalise on a brilliant pitch that had all of the hallmarks of a Masters Champion.

However, rather than short game prowess, Watson’s mantra this week has been to hit as many greens in regulation as possible. Pretty simple but sound strategy. And his execution hasn’t been shabby either, with 28 of the 36 being found in the requisite number.

At the end of yet another difficult scoring day, the polarising Bubba finds himself three shots clear of Australia’s John Senden, with a host of players (including defending champion Adam Scott, and 20-year-old sensation Jordan Spieth) all within touching distance with two rounds remaining.

"If I can hit greens that means I've hit good tee shots, and I hit good irons shots and just trying to make par from there and throw in a birdie here and there," Watson said.

Much like the great players who perennially contended at Augusta National, Bubba Watson has all of the tools to be successful at this iconic track. He has the length, but more pertinently he has the touch, feel and imagination that this devilish test demands.

In the past decade, just Mike Weir and Trevor Immelman have went on to win the Masters after holding the halfway lead. The old adage of “anything can happen” over the weekend is particularly true in a major championship, but despite his often maligned ability as a closer, Watson is a major champion. And a recent one at that.

"I'm coming back with the take that I want the jacket again," Watson said. "I'm coming back with a different mindset, full of energy. I haven't had any media because nobody cares about the guy a couple of years ago. So it's been good."

The majority of that media has been focussed on Adam Scott, whose victory last year has undoubtedly inspired 42-year-old John Senden. The recent winner of the Valspar Championship would bogey two of his opening four holes, but birdie six of his next 11 to secure sole-possession of second at four-under.

"If I keep believing in myself and enjoying it, that's the difference...it's about keeping a smile on your face when you're under pressure," Senden said after his round.

"There are plenty of ups and downs on this golf course. I just want to go out there and do my best and hope that's good enough."

Senden would be the oldest first-time winner if he was to claim victory on Sunday, as would 43-year-old Dane Thomas Bjorn. The 15-time European Tour winner is at three-under, alongside fellow Scandinavian Jonas Blixt, Adam Scott and Jordan Spieth (who could become the youngest ever winner of the Masters).

The reigning champion’s effort at becoming just the fourth player to successfully defend looked have unravelled early on, but he fought back with a second-nine of 33 to finish the day at three-under for the week.

"Patience came into it on the back nine," Scott said afterwards to ESPN. "I just tried to remember all the good shots I hit yesterday and had to execute and managed to make something happen to move back into the red numbers."

Since 1956, no player has come from further back than six shots off the lead at this stage to win, and Scott rightly points out the importance of tomorrow as players look to jockey for position ahead of Sunday’s extravaganza.

"Tomorrow's a big day for everyone," said Scott. I'd like to close that gap to feel like I'm starting Sunday with a great chance."

Also hoping to close that gap, is the champion of 1992. Fred Couples, 54, has become a perennial sight on the leaderboard at Augusta in recent years. He has posted four consecutive top fifteen finishes, but he is hoping for something more and will start Saturday at two-under.

It was also a fine day for two even older campaigners, in Larry Mize and Sandy Lyle, who also made the cut that fell at four-over. Impressive achievement for any player, let alone those on the wrong side of 50. It sounds even better when you consider that the likes of Phil Mickelson, Charl Schwartzel, Sergio Garcia and Dustin Johnson are all heading home at a surprisingly early stage.

Another notable achievement was that of Australian amateur Oliver Goss, who made the cut after a second round of 71. He will celebrate his 20th birthday tomorrow, and what better way to mark a milestone by playing in the Masters?

There are a number of players on that leaderboard who will be hoping to secure milestones of their own this weekend, when the Masters Tournament truly comes alive.

An intriguing leaderboard is in place, with a mix of youth and experience. The stage is most certainly set for a stunning weekend. It’s up to the players now to produce the goods, as well know that Augusta National itself will play its part.