Tiger in the hunt after poor start

After two days where his play and mood were as ugly as the stormy weather, the sun and a smile were back on Tiger Woods' face on Saturday, as the three-times champion rocketed up the U.S. Masters leaderboard.

In a turnaround as abrupt as the unsettled conditions, Woods was heading for an early exit after slogging his way to a two-over 74 in a rain-hit opening round before rediscovering some of his Masters magic.

As the weather improved on Saturday so did Woods' scorecard, the 29-year-old American finishing a long and productive day mixing a single bogey with 12 birdies in 26 holes of work to leave him alone in second at nine-under, trailing leader Chris DiMarco by four strokes with 27 to play on Sunday.

"I was hitting quality golf shots but I just wasn't getting anything out of it," said Woods, reflecting on his first round.

"I just told myself, "you're hitting good golf shots, just stick with it.

"All of a sudden the momentum started to build, I started making putts.

"My golf shots were just as good before but it just happened the momentum kind of got on my side."

The day began with Woods completing 17 holes of his second round under grey skies and finished with a spectacular Georgian sunset and the former-world number one carding birdies on his final three holes.

Under pressure to end a major title drought stretching back to the 2002 U.S. Open, Woods' charge sent a chill through the field and a charge through the galleries, evoking memories of 1999-2000 when he ruled supreme over PGA Tour and won four consecutive majors.

One thing Woods has never done, however, is come from behind to lift a major title which he will have to do on Sunday if he is to add a fourth green jacket to his wardrobe and ninth crown to his collection of major championships.

"I can say that if Chris (DiMarco) plays the way he is, he's going to be difficult to beat," said Denmark's Thomas Bjorn, who sits one shot back of Woods at eight-under.

"Tiger is Tiger, and when he gets on those kind of runs, then we never know what's going to happen.

"I know what the guy is capable of, and when he plays like that, you've just got to enjoy watching."

The mud-splattered Woods on display on Thursday and Friday as he slogged his way through a rain-hit opening round was in sharp contrast to the smiley, chatty one that greeted the media before heading off on Saturday.

Few could have blamed Woods for his sour mood on Thursday after watching his eagle putt on 13 speed past the cup into Rae's Creek and then staring in disbelief as his approach shot on the first clanged off the flagstick -- both resulting in bogeys.

If that wasn't enough, Woods was later summoned to review a possible rules violation when a television viewer argued the eight-time major winner had illegally stood over the hole while tapping a short putt.

After looking at the tape, officials ruled there was evidence of a violation.

However, Woods' mood had improved dramatically on Saturday as he moved to within sight of the title.

"We've got a long way to go, we've got 27 holes to go," he said. "It's going to be a long, patient day and I've got to grind it out tomorrow."