By Phil Casey, PA Sport, Augusta

Paul Lawrie looks set to make his first cut in the US Masters in some style when the first major of the year resumes in Augusta.

Lawrie's three previous appearances at the Masters have ended after two rounds - and without a score of level par or better.

But the former Open champion rectified the second part of that unhappy statistic with an opening 72 on Friday, and remained level par after 13 holes of his second round before play was suspended.

That was good enough for the 34-year-old from Aberdeen to claim a share of fifth place, six shots off the lead held by Canadian left-hander Mike Weir.

Lawrie was not entirely happy with his game despite his first-round 72, the highlight of which was a birdie from 35 feet on the 18th.

"I didn't play very well," Lawrie said. "I hit only six or seven greens but I chipped and putted well. To shoot level par like that means, hopefully, there are better things to come.

"The pins are all in high positions but the greens are perfect. But if you're playing safe you have long and difficult putts."

Nick Faldo was also in the top 10 on his 20th Masters appearance, the 45-year-old carding an opening 74 but then firing an eagle three on the second hole of his second round, finishing the day one over for the tournament.

At the other end of the appearance scale, debutant Justin Rose - who played a practice round with Faldo on Tuesday - was on the leaderboard for much of the day, although he was slightly higher than he should have been after the scorers on the first hole mistook him for playing partner Adam Scott.

Rose was credited with Scott's par-four instead of the bogey-five caused by finding a greenside bunker, but was still happy with his opening-round 73 at Augusta.

"It's a pretty decent round here for the first time," said the 22-year-old from Hampshire, who remained one over after 10 holes of his second round. "We were working pretty hard out there but I really enjoyed the atmosphere."

Ireland's Padraig Harrington was facing a battle to make the halfway cut, the Dubliner carding an opening 77 and standing six over for the tournament after 12 holes of round two.

That was in a tie for 52nd place, with only the top 44 and ties - and those players within 10 shots of the lead - making the cut for the last two rounds.

Welshman Ian Woosnam was one of the lucky 18 players to finish 36 holes, but at 10 over par the 1991 champion was heading home.

Colin Montgomerie had just two holes to play on Saturday morning, starting at 8.20am local time, and the Scot will be anxious to get it over with as he lies 11 over par for the tournament.

Montgomerie carded a first-round 78 and then headed straight for the practice ground with coach Dennis Pugh, but the two failed to find a solution to his problems in the short break between rounds.