Midway at the Masters: The most interesting men and moments

Helen Ross has been surveying Augusta National from Magnolia Lane to Amen Corner, and offers up a short list of the people and happenings that worth noting as the Masters heads into the weekend.

By Helen Ross, PGATOUR.COM Chief of Correspondents

AUGUSTA, Ga. -- Through two rounds of the 74th Masters Tournament, we've had the feats of teenagers and sexagenarians at which to marvel and Brits, Danes, Koreans and Americans among the contenders. Here's a look at some of the more interesting men and moments:


THE BRITS: You won't catch Lee Westwood wearing a Union Jack -- unless its wrapped around his shoulders at a Ryder Cup victory celebration -- like one Ian Poulter had embroidered on his pants leg at the 2004 British Open. But while one can be a tad over-the-top, both are certainly at the top of their games right now and poised to end an English drought at the Masters that dates back to Nick Faldo's victory over Greg Norman in 1996.

Westwood is ranked fourth in the world while Poulter, who got his first PGA TOUR victory in February, is seventh, and they start the third round tied for the lead at 8 under. Poulter has a bit of an axe to grind, too, after a practice session earlier in the week: "We played nine and I paid him on seven, so he played pretty nicely," the confident and colorful Brit said.

BIG GUNS: There are five players tied for second at 6 under, two strokes off the lead, but it's hard to look past the names of Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson and see any of the rest. Had Lefty's final putt not popped out of the hole, the two would have found themselves in Saturday's penulimate group -- playing together for the first time since the final round of last year's Masters.

No one knew quite what to expect of either when the week began, though. Mickelson had been inconsistent and Woods incognito after four months in seclusion after his admissions of infidelity rocked the golf world. Now both have a legitimate chance to add to their collection of majors -- Woods looking for No. 14 overall and fifth at Augusta National while Mickelson seeks his third Green Jacket and fourth of his career.

BEST FASHION STATEMENT: Hard to pick against anything Ian Poulter wears, and his Easter-egg colors have not disappointed this week. Let's wait until he dons those pink tartan trousers on Sunday, though -- with a Green Jacket, perhaps? -- before we make a final decision on the merits of his wardrobe this week.

So through two rounds, this recognition has to go to Ryan Moore, who's been wearing a tie and oxford shirt as he toured Augusta National, and Fred Couples, who has played -- sockless, no less -- in ECCO's new skater- or bowling- (take your pick) style shoes.

OLD GUYS: Can anyone say Turnberry? What a ride Tom Watson and Fred Couples are giving us. Couples, who is 50, owned the first-round lead by a shot over Watson, who is a decade his elder. The two age-defying veterans couldn't quite keep pace on Friday, but they will still start the weekend tied at 3 under -- just five strokes off the pace. With three Masters between them, they know what it takes to win at Augusta National and eclipse Jack Nicklaus as the oldest winner of a Green Jacket.

BEST FATHER-SON MOMENT: The U.S. Open always finishes on Father's Day (barring weather delays, that is) but this year's Masters has the paternal storylines down pat. Larry Smith caddied for his son Nathan, an investment advisor who won the 2009 U.S. Mid-Am, at Augusta National for the second time this year. They didn't make the cut, but as they walked up 18 on Friday, the two "just told each other we loved each other," Nathan said.

Jay Haas, who has played in 21 Masters of his own, wasn't caddying but he nervously ducked in and out from behind trees as he watched his son Bill play in his first Masters. They'll have two more rounds together since Bill is 2 under and six strokes off the lead. "I'm just happy to join the family legacy just to play here once and my next goal is to get back here again," said Bill, whose great-uncle Bob Goalby is a former Masters champ.

It's hard to beat the experience Tom Watson and his son, Michael, are sharing as father-and-caddy, though. The 60-year-old Watson was one stroke off the lead after the first round and five back at the midway point. And his son proposed to his girfriend of more than four years during a practice round last Sunday. "I wanted him to carry the bag here to see what it was like to be in a major championship inside the ropes," said the eight-time major and two-time Masters champ. Can you imagine if they end up winning?