Sergio Garcia moved into a early share of the halfway lead at the Masters after fine round of 69 that included six birdies.
The Spaniard missed a putt on the last for 68, but when he tapped in for a three under-par round it was for a share of the lead alongside Charley Hoffman at four under.
Garcia's major heartache is well documented with four runners-up finishes in the game's biggest events while his best at Augusta is a tie for fourth in 2004, but he has managed just one top 19 since then in the year's opening major.
But after opening with a 71-69, Garcia is well placed for a run at the Green Jacket over the weekend, with his blistering start of three consecutive birdies setting the tone for a round that included three more gains and three bogeys.
"The first hole was the key - we had been talking about it, thinking it was probably going to be the toughest hole through the day," he told Sky Sports.
"But I had a good drive and a five-iron to a tough pin position and then another to about 10/12 feet behind the hole and rolled that in. Then I almost made eagle on two and made a nice putt on three
"I was hitting some good shots and rolling some good putts which in these conditions is not easy to do.
"I feel like I played great and I felt like I hit the ball better than yesterday
"It was still difficult like it was yesterday and I made a couple of stupid mistakes, but that can happen with the way the course is playing."
Garcia's fellow Spaniard Jon Rahm is also in contention, he followed a one-over-par opening round with a two-under-par second and, despite it being his Augusta debut, he sees no reason why he cannot contend over the weekend.
"I've been playing great, my ball striking is great, so if I can get myself more looks and make a couple of them, I can get some more, you know, the putter going a little hotter, and maybe, maybe get a good round going - you never know," he said.
"First‑timers don't usually have a great history at Torrey Pines either and I was able to win that, I kept that in mind.
"There's nothing that says I'm going to play bad or that I should play bad. I think I liked the conditions, because I usually like tough conditions. I can keep the ball low and pars are my friend. On days like today, I was able to take advantage of my ball striking and I think I lucked out in that sense."
2013 champion Adam Scott moved into contention after a fine round of 69, that could have been even better having reached the turn in four-under par for his opening nine holes.
A double bogey at 11 set him back before three birdies and two bogeys down the stretch saw him into the clubhouse at level par and within touching distance of the leaders at four under par
"Today was a really good day, I can't ask for much more," he said.
"I started 10 back and I'm now four back, this is a good result. It would be nice if we get a little calmer conditions on the weekend, just because it's too hard playing this golf course like this four days in a row."
Masters debutant Thomas Pieters is alongside Garcia at the top of the leaderboard on -4 after a second round 68.
After bogeying the first, the Belgian made three birdies and eagled the 13th but is keen not to get ahead of himself despite the strength of his position going into the weekend.
"You know, as any tournament, I just like to get within three shots on a Sunday afternoon, three or four shots," Pieters said.
"Then you really give yourself a chance. So it's a bit bold to say that you want to come here and win and then you don't do it, and you know, you look like a fool.
"No, if I just get in contention on Sunday afternoon, that's all I want."