Augusta, GA (Best E Casino) - Trevor Immelman posted his second consecutive, four-under 68 on Friday to grab the second-round lead of the Masters at Augusta National.

Immelman, a first-round co-leader with Justin Rose, finished 36 holes at eight-under 136. He is one clear of Brandt Snedeker, who also carded a four- under 68 to come in at seven-under 137.

Steve Flesch fired a bogey-free, five-under 67 to move into third place at minus-five. Stephen Ames shot his second two-under 70 in as many days and is in the clubhouse at four-under 140.

Tiger Woods, a four-time Masters winner, has just teed off in round two and already birdied the first hole. He opened with an even-par 72 on Thursday in his quest, which he has said is "within reason," for a single-season Grand Slam.

Phil Mickelson, the 2004 and 2006 Masters champion, is three-under through 12 holes and reached four-under par for the championship. Retief Goosen, a two- time U.S. Open champion, is also two-under on Friday and three-under for the tournament.

Lee Westwood is one-under heading to the back nine at minus-four. Rose is playing one group behind Woods.

Immelman birdied the fifth hole for the second consecutive round, but dropped his first shot of the season's first major at the par-three sixth. Immelman recovered with a birdie at No. 7.

Immelman and Snedeker were tied for the lead through much of the back nine. Immelman birdied the 11th again on Friday, then parred the next five holes.

The South African closed with a pair of birdies at 17 and 18 to close off a spectacular round.

"Obviously it feels great to go out there and break 70 both rounds," said Immelman, who tied for fifth place in 2005. "You know, my play today probably wasn't as sharp as yesterday, but I really did hole some unbelievable putts out there."

Snedeker kept pace with three front-nine birdies, but parred eight straight around the turn. He dropped a shot at the par-three 16th, but like the man ahead of him, birdied the last two to get within one.

The next two closest players in the clubhouse are Sean O'Hair and J.B. Holmes. O'Hair managed a one-under 71, while Holmes was one better with a 70. The pair is knotted at one-under 143.