Putting proves challenging for Barnes

Ricky Barnes is better known for his engineer's cap than his golf game. He hopes to change that this weekend.

After carding 1-under 71 in the second round of the Masters Tournament, Barnes finds himself in contention at a place where he has had success before.

Barnes, who tied for 10th in the 2010 Masters, sits at 5-under-par at the halfway mark. The 30-year-old Californian, who finished as the runner-up in the 2009 U.S. Open, is seeking his first tournament victory since turning pro in 2003.

"I hope to get in contention every week, not just majors," said Barnes, whose best finish this year is fourth at the Honda Classic. "I hope that it's not that I get more focused on majors. I do like fast greens."

Barnes, who finished as low amateur in his first Masters in 2003, had few problems from tee to green in the second round. He hit 12 of 14 fairways and found 13 of 18 greens. But after holing 25 putts in the first round, he needed 31 on Friday.

"I'm driving well. Even hitting it well," he said. "I just got a little shaky from (Nos.) 8 to 12 with the putter."

Barnes birdied three of the first six holes to get to 7-under for the tournament. He said he felt calm entering the par-5 eighth, where he three-putted for bogey. The skid continued with bogeys at Nos. 10 and 12.

Barnes' roller-coaster round included a two-putt birdie from 10 feet at No. 13. He then posted birdie and bogey at Nos. 14 and 15.

After going 4-under on the par-5 holes in the first round, he shot even-par Friday. Barnes called it a lost opportunity.

"I was in position to take advantage of the par-5s today," he said. "I didn't do it. No ifs, ands or buts about it."

Barnes is hopeful he can make a trip to Augusta National Golf Club an annual thing. After toiling on the PGA and Nationwide tours for six years, he finally earned his PGA Tour card in 2009. He continued to improve in 2010, posting six top-10 finishes, including one at the Masters that earned him a return invitation.

"You've done something right to get back here," he said. "I'd like to get back here meaning that I was in the winner's circle here or somewhere else."

Reach Chris Gay at (706) 823-3645 or chris.gay@augustachronicle.com.