Couples and Dufner lead Masters by one as Woods slips back April 6, 2012 -- Updated 2341 GMT (0741 HKT) Fred Couples rolled back the years with a five-under par round of 67 to co-lead the Masters at the halfway stage Fred Couples shoots a five-under par round of 67 to share Masters lead at halfway stage Rory McIlroy one shot off the pace after a round of 69 Tiger Woods slips back down the field after an inconsistent round Phil Mickelson right back in the hunt after a second round 68 (CNN) -- Former Masters champion Fred Couples fired a five-under par round of 67 to claim a share of the lead with fellow American Jason Dufner at the Masters on Friday. The 52-year-old, whose only major win came at Augusta National in 1992, helped himself to seven birdies including a run of three at the 7th, 8th and 9th holes. A superb back nine which included birdies at the 15th and 16th saw Couples shoot the lowest score of the day and finish five-under par after two rounds. It was a very, very magical day. I'm going to be right there with everybody on the weekend," Couples said. "If I come out here and play my game the best I can, I'll have a shot," he added. I'm going to be right there with everybody on the weekend Fred Couples Dufner, runner-up at the PGA Championship last August, carded a two-under 70, go with his opening round 69. The pair lead by one from a chasing pack which includes overnight leader Lee Westwood and Rory McIlroy. Westwood was heading for a one-under par round of 71 but a double bogey at the 18th spoilt a steady round after his impressive showing on Thursday. McIlroy compiled a composed 69 which included five birdies but dropped shots at the 10th and the 17th took a little bit of the shine off his round. Nevertheless, the Northern Irishman was satisfied with his progress. I'm right where I want to be. I put myself in position to have a chance to win this tournament again," McIlroy said. South Africa's Louis Oosthuizen is also one shot off the lead after a even-par round of 72 as is Spain's Sergio Garcia, who shot a four-under par 68, and America's Bubba Watson who carded a 71. But Tiger Woods' challenge for a fifth Green Jacket faded on Friday as he struggled to a three-over par round of 75, eight shots off the lead. The current world No.1 Luke Donald may also struggle to mount a challenge at the weekend. With three holes left to play of his second round he was also three-over par. Reigning champion Charl Schwartzel is on the same score after completing a disappointing round of 75. But an exciting weekend is guaranteed with 16 players within three shots of Couples and Dufner including Phil Mickelson whose four-under par 68 lifted him to two-under par. One shot ahead on three under par is a group of four players including America's Matt Kuchar (70) and Scotland's Paul Lawrie who shot a 72 to go with his opening 69. April 6, 2012 -- Updated 1147 GMT (1947 HKT) CNN's Masters rookie revelas that his first trip to Augusta conjures up images of theme parks more prevalent in another U.S. state. April 5, 2012 -- Updated 2250 GMT (0650 HKT) April 6, 2012 -- Updated 1155 GMT (1955 HKT) Golf writer Bill Elliott has witnessed the last 32 Masters tournaments and seen the making of golfing greats.