Bubba Watson 2014 Masters
In first place at 7-under par after two rounds, Bubba Watson is three strokes ahead of his 2012 Masters-winning run. Reuters

Bubba Watson fired off four straight birdies on the back-nine for a 4-under 68 in the second round and maintains a three-stroke lead through 36 holes at the Masters.

Seeking his second green jacket in three years, Watson totaled five birdies in the second round to overcome his two bogeys on the fourth and fifth holes. He’s now at 7-under 137 through two rounds heading into Saturday’s third round at Augusta.

Watson’s best shot of the day came on the 14th green with a well-placed putt that curved into the tin, and he would have finished at 8-under but bogeyed the par-4 No. 18.

Watson has shot three strokes better than his championship run in 2012 when he ended the second round four strokes back entering the weekend.

After barely making par in the first round, Australia’s John Senden regrouped to shoot a 4-under in the second round and he’s the sole owner of second place behind Watson.

Defending champion Adam Scott, Denmark’s Thomas Bjorn and Sweden’s Jonas Blixt lead a four-man group tied at 3-under 141.

American Bill Haas failed to capitalize on his early first round lead hitting eight total bogeys, including five straight between the ninth and 15th holes, to fall back at 2-over through 36 holes.

Veteran and perennial mainstay near the top of the Masters leaderboard Fred Couples shot a one-under 71 for the second straight round and he sits in a three-way knot at 2-under 142 with current PGA wins leader Jimmy Walker and Jim Fuyrk.

Starting the day within striking distance at one-under par, Rory McIlroy was the last to make the cut after three bogeys and two double-bogeys committed on Friday for a 5-over 77 and 4-over par through two rounds.

Another favorite fell to the first cut with American Phil Mickelson improving on his 4-over 76 first round, but ultimately unable to wipe it completely away with a 1-over 73 in the second round.

Watson and Senden make up the last group beginning at 2:45 p.m. EST, with Bjorn and Blixt right before at 2:35 p.m. Couples and Walker shoot at 2:15 p.m., and Scott and Jordan Spieth 10 minutes later.

McIlroy will get a round all to himself starting at 10:15 a.m. EST

Tee-Times: A full list of tee-times and pairings can be viewed here.

Leaderboard: The full real-time leaderboard can be checked here throughout the weekend.

TV Channel: CBS

Time: Saturday, 3 p.m. EST

Live Online Stream: A live online stream can be seen at the Masters official site here. And CBS’s coverage can be viewed here.

Australia Rory mcilroy