Stephen Ames reeled off six birdies on Friday. (Getty Images)

Not a bad run through Amen Corner. Especially on a day when the wind was making the course play harder than on Thursday.

Stephen Ames had to smile. A pair of 2-under-par 70s. In touch with the leader -- just four back -- going into the weekend.

"It was good,'' he said of the round. "It was a bit up and down. But otherwise it was a solid round. I hit the ball well. When I did miss the greens I couldn't get it up and down because I missed them on the wrong side, unfortunately.

"But overall I was happy to break par again, obviously."

This is the best start here for the Canadian, whose previous best opening rounds were 74-70 in 2006 -- the same year he won The PLAYERS. That year was also his best Masters finish -- a T-11.

When Ames teed off there was no wind, but it started to pick up later in the round.

"It wasn't too bad,'' he said. "I have the rest of the day to relax and do whatever I want now. But, yeah, it's nice. (The wind) It's starting to become a factor, yeah, on some holes. ''

Ironically, Ames spoke out against the small field in the Calgary Herald a few weeks ago.

"When you compare it to the other major events, it is the weakest field technically,'' he said. "There are only 90 players (at the Masters); the top 50 players in the world are guaranteed. Of those 90, there are 20 old guys still playing, past champions, who shouldn't be playing golf. So, technically, it's a field of 70."

No matter what the size, he's still in position to challenge for a jacket come Sunday.

"I think overall the golf course is playing fair, they're definitely getting firmer and faster, so it's going to be a lot more fun, if it stays like this for the weekend,'' he said.