After two great, confusing days, what does weekend hold?

We have 36 holes to go, a course getting tougher by the minute and as diverse a cast of characters as you could ask for. So what do we know? We know that it's time to suck it up and take your best shot.

Melanie Hauser, PGATOUR.COM Correspondent

AUGUSTA, Ga. -- It was a day to look back and look ahead.

A day of emotion and frustration. A day when just when you thought you knew what was about to happen, you found yourself wondering where in the heck did that come from?

Consider for a moment a phenomenal record 11 birdies from Masters rookie Anthony Kim. A head-shaker of a 32 on the back by Phil Mickelson. Another what-could-have-been round instead of a spark from Tiger Woods. A major surprise from former British Open Champion Todd Hamilton. A penalty shot that slowed -- for a moment, at least -- Padraig Harrington’s bid for a Paddy Slam.

A bogey-free 67 from Kenny Perry who is trying to become the oldest player to win a major, period. Another strong day from Chad Campbell who’s looking to become the eighth Texan to wear a Green Jacket.

A fast finish from Sergio Garcia. Another dangerous knock on the door by Angel Cabrera. Tears from Gary Player and Fuzzy Zoeller as they closed out their competitive Masters careers. A wave and a c’est la vie from Greg Norman, who made yet another early exit down Magnolia Lane, this one perhaps his last.

Perry said he still wants to kick everyone’s butt. Zoeller called that final bow the damnedest feeling. Geoff Ogilvy and Henrik Stenson are lurking and Garcia and Furyk are circling.

And the weather? Well, the wind played havoc early, then settled down and the rain expected to soften the course came well after play ended, around 10:30 p.m. There were tornado warnings up through 1 a.m. and at about 10:50 p.m., a steady rain turned into a torrential downpour complete with a barrage of hail.

So what does all of this mean going into the weekend at the year’s first major?

Good question.

We have 36 holes to go in this 73rd Masters, a golf course that’s running hard and fast and as diverse a cast of characters as you could ask for.

And, oh, 12 of the world’s top 15 within seven shots of the lead.

As Phil Mickelson said late Friday night, it’s time to suck it up and take your best shot. No question he will.

This generation’s Arnold Palmer will throw everything he’s got at the course the next two days -- and, who knows, maybe even two drivers. He’s six shots behind co-leaders Perry and Campbell with two days to go, and he’s not leaving anything on the course.

Your co-leaders who both come from tiny towns -- Perry was born in Elizabethtown Ky., and Campbell in Andrews, Tex. -- and are known for their hot streaks. Both came close to winning PGA Championships -- Perry in 1996, Campbell in 2003. Neither look ready to back down.

Garcia came in with few expectations after a dismal putting week at the Shell Houston Open, but caught fire on the back nine, birdieing four of the last seven holes. Can he keep it going?

Kim gained perspective from Los Angeles Angels pitcher Nick Adenhart’s tragic death and decided to put that opening 75 behind him, enjoy the day and not take anything for granted.

Harrington finally got a bit irked at himself when, after he soled his putter at 15, a gust blew the ball and he wound up with a penalty. Then, he had a putt bang out 18. No one, save Tiger, can shake things off better. Could Augusta National owe him one or two this weekend?

We’re suddenly wondering how that AK belt buckle of Kim’s will look with Masters green. The kid is fearless and fun and it wouldn’t surprise us in the least if he’s right there at the end.

Cabrera, is happy go-lucky and his putting is coming around. Vijay Singh has had two steady rounds and is poised to pounce.

And last but not least, there is Tiger. No way we figured he would be seven back with 36 to go, but stranger things have happened. He’s justthismuch away from throwing out one of those dazzling exclamations points of his. From getting out of his own way, jumping on the leader board and throwing a scare into the field. From turning average drives and OK iron shots into one of those majical shows.

From making a run at his 15th major and taking another step toward Jack’s record.

But if he does? Well, it won’t be a surprise. We won’t wonder where it came from.

We’ll just know.