Immelman takes one-shot lead

By Larry Fine

AUGUSTA, Georgia (Reuters) - South African Trevor Immelman, finding his form after recovering from health problems last year, birdied the last two holes for a 68 to grab a one-stroke lead in Friday's second round of the U.S. Masters.

Immelman, overnight co-leader with Briton Justin Rose, matched his first-round score by posting three birdies on the back nine to reach eight-under-par 136 as he got hot with his putter on a warm, breezy day at Augusta National.

American Brandt Snedeker was alone in second place after he mirrored Immelman's rousing finish with birdies at 17 and 18 to complete a 68 for 137, two shots better than compatriots Phil Mickelson and Steve Flesch, and Briton Ian Poulter.

"It feels great to break 70 both rounds," said Immelman, 28, who four months ago had a benign tumour the size of a golf ball removed from behind his rib cage and had previously lost more than 20 pounds due to an intestinal parasite.

"My play wasn't as sharp as yesterday but I holed some unbelievable putts out there," said the South African, who made birdies from 15 and 10 feet out on the finishing holes.

"It's a thrill to play well here."

Second on the leaderboard at seven-under-par was American Brandt Snedeker, who mirrored Immelman's rousing finish with birdies at 17 and 18 to complete a 68 for 137, two shots better than Phil Mickelson, Steve Flesch and Briton Ian Poulter.

Twice winner Mickelson made three birdies on the front side and capped his bogey-free round with a 30-foot birdie at 17 for a 68, while left-handed Flesch had the tournament's low round by going five-under on the par-fives in a bogey-free 67.