Perry, 48, shares lead at Augusta

Kenny Perry, asked a few years ago about his chances of winning The Masters, said he didn't think he could because his short game wasn't good enough.

That's no longer the case, and yesterday Perry fired a 5 under 67 in the second round and tied Chad Campbell for the lead.

Perry, a 48-year-old Kentuckian, has never won a major tournament, but he's driving the ball better than he has in a long time. Combine that with a putting touch that's just right for the tricky greens, and he has a comfort level he has never had at Augusta National.

Perry had a hectic time last year trying to make the Ryder Cup team and very much wanted to play in his home state (the competition was in Louisville). After making the U.S. team and helping the Americans defeated the Europeans, Perry said that this season has been a breeze.

"Everything is a bonus now, it really is," said Perry, who has a chance to become the oldest Masters champion and break Jack Nicklaus' record. Nicklaus was 46 in 1986 when he won his sixth Masters title. "I'm just going through each and every day enjoying life a little bit."

Perry and Campbell, who shot 70, are being chased by long-hitting Angel Cabrera, who shot his second straight 68 and is one shot back. Todd Hamilton, the forgotten 2004 British Open champion, is at 6 under, and Tim Clark, a former N.C. State golfer, is fifth at 5 under after shooting a 71.

Phil Mickelson, who regrouped on the back nine, shot a 68 and is 3 under, six shots off the lead.

Tiger Woods, who had a disappointing bogey on 18, shot 70 and is at 2 under (tied for 19th).

Woods wasn't very chatty with after his round, and although he has to make up seven shots, he remains confident.

"Yes," Woods said when asked if he can make up the deficit.

Woods has rallied before to win, but this time it might be a little too much to ask. Eleven of the 17 golfers in front of him are ranked among the world's top 20.

Woods said that swirling winds, which sometimes gusted to 30 miles an hour, were difficult to negotiate.

"I thought it was difficult all the way around," he said. "Not only is it blowing, but you can go through a three-club swing whether the wind is up or down."

Woods went to the range after his round to work with swing coach Hank Haney.

"Hopefully I've got to play a little bit better than I have been," Woods said of his approach. "I have to make a few more putts and clean up my round. I made a few more putts today, but not enough."

Campbell, who was the first-round leader, did just enough to hang stay at the top for the second straight day. He rolled in a long birdie putt on 18 to get to 9 under, and Perry later tied him.

One advantage that Campbell said he had was playing early, before the wind picked up. He estimated that he had very little wind to worry about on the first four holes.

Campbell was the leader after the second round in 2006 and was still in contention in the final round until he found the water on 15, ending his chances. He wound up tying for third that year, when he had to play 32 holes on the final day because the tournament was marred by bad weather.

"I don't totally remember exactly how I was feeling," Campbell said. "Obviously I know I was playing pretty well going into the weekend. Unfortunately I didn't play that well on Sunday."

Yesterday, Campbell ran into trouble around Amen Corner, which included a three-putt for bogey on 12. He also bogeyed 11 and later bogeyed 17 before ending his day with a birdie.

On Thursday, he bogeyed 17 and 18 to settle for a 65. He was feeling a lot better yesterday after ending with the birdie.

"I'm definitely a little bit unhappy with the way I played the back nine," he said. "I made some mistakes on the back nine, a couple of bogeys and missed opportunities for birdies."

This is Perry's ninth Masters, and he has never finished in the top 10. His best showing was a tie for 12th in 1995. He has made just three cuts in his previous eight appearances.

Perry, who won the FBR Open in February, is ranked 11th in the world and has 13 career PGA Tour wins.

"That was probably one of the greatest rounds I've ever played," said Perry, who had a bogey-free round yesterday. "I just didn't have any nerves. I don't know how to explain it. I don't know how I'll feel (today) or Sunday."

■ John Dell can be reached at 727-4081 or jdell@wsjournal.com.