Rickie Fowler fights putter, but stays in Masters contention

Rickie Fowler continued to give himself chance after chance to move up the leaderboard of the Masters Tournament on Friday morning.

Nearly every time, though, his putter betrayed him.

The No. 8 player in the world had three birdies and three bogeys in an even-par 72 that left him at 2-under 142 entering the weekend. It could have been a much lower score.

Fowler had 33 putts on the day, with three-putts on the 13th, 15th and 16th holes on the back nine. That included several lipouts, including a par putt on No. 9. Still, he's in the top eight heading into Saturday.

"I feel like we've managed our way around the golf course really well," Fowler said. "Don't have those three putts, even a better spot."

PHOTOS: Second round at the Masters Tournament

NOT OVER YET: After a Thursday struggle, then opening with bogey on Friday, the Justin Rose "revenge tour" seemed to be in trouble.

By the end of the day, it's still on schedule. Rose rebounded with birdies on both par 5s on the back nine to shoot 2-under 70 and join a host of names in a tie for eighth at 2-under 142.

Back-to-back bogeys on Nos. 11 and 12 were erased by the good play on the par 5s. So his hopes of avenging a playoff loss to Sergio Garcia last year remain alive.

"I think the last couple of years I've played good Saturdays to get into the final group," Rose said. "And tomorrow is moving day for that purpose. And hopefully I can come out tomorrow strong, and put myself right in there on Sunday."

STEADY DOES IT: After a wild Thursday with six birdies and five bogeys, Louis Oosthuizen found as much calm as he could muster during a Friday morning full of scoring swings.

The South African had three birdies and two bogeys, giving him a pair of 71s to open the tournament. He cut three putts off his card from the first round to make up for hitting 12 of 18 greens.

"I struggled on the greens early on, I think I had five 3 putts yesterday, which is something you don't want on your card," the 2012 Masters runner-up said. "I saw my coach a little bit afterwards yesterday on the green and sorted out a few little things and it was a lot better today."

YO, CANADA: Adam Hadwin remains in position for his best finish in a major despite a late stumble Friday.

The Canadian took double bogey on the 18th hole to shoot 75 and is at even-par 144 for the tournament. He's tied for 18th place.

The 30-year-old is playing in only his seventh major. He tied for 36th last year in his Masters debut.