Tiger v the Lions

TIGER TRAP ... Woods loses control on an early shot

TWO English lions outroared Tiger on day two of the Masters.

Lee Westwood and Ian Poulter were in sizzling form to push Tiger Woods firmly into the background at Augusta.

Now the pair face a shootout for a few dollars more.

Poulter will be seeking to hit his rival in the pocket as well as edge ahead in the race to become England's first Major winner since Nick Faldo claimed his third Green Jacket here in 1996.

Poulter had to pay up when the duo played a money match earlier this week, along with Paul Casey - the other Englishman in the top 10 of the world rankings.

And Poults, who hit a superb 68 to lie eight under par at halfway, warned: "Lee had better watch out because he took a few dollars off me in practice - and I want it back.

"It's too early to get carried away but it's great to see two English golfers at the top of a leaderboard - and it'd be nice if it stays that way.

"Walking on to every green and getting a huge ovation because your name is on top of the leaderboard is a neat feeling - but it would be a lot neater if it happens on Sunday.

"I've played great the first two days, and Lee has obviously done the same thing. There was a lot of talk before this tournament that the English guys are in good form - and they certainly are.

"Personally, winning my first title in the States at the Accenture Match Play in February has done a lot for my confidence, especially as it carried a bit more prestige as a World Golf Championship event.

"I'm in a position now where I can go out and be kind of aggressive on the golf course.

"It's a nice position to be in because you can't back off any shot on this golf course and it's certainly helped me this week."

Dedicated follower of fashion Poulter had a quick answer when asked what clothes combination would go well with a Green Jacket.

"Anything," he replied. "Absolutely anything."

After advertising his Major championship-winning potential by finishing runner-up in The Open two years ago, Poulter clearly feels his earlier boast that only Woods is on a different level to him was not a hollow one.

He added: "If I win this week, I'll probably go to No 2 in the world, which would be lovely.

"So I guess it's a work in progress. I'm working towards that."

Poulter also admitted that playing in the group in front of Woods had helped him feed off the electricity generated by the world No 1's return to golf.

He added: "There's a great buzz on the golf course. I was happy to tee off when I did.

"The crowds are ten-deep. That's always good. They are a very respectful crowd and when that happens, you get a lot of excitement in the crowd and that's certainly a nice place to play.

"You have big, big galleries that appreciate good golf shots. I think the tournament is a good one for the extra interest."

Poulter and Westwood will be in no hurry to write off Woods just yet.

He followed up his first-round 70 with a gritty 68 and is bang in contention.

Woods commented: "Do I like my position at this stage? What do you think. Yes, very much.

"I've given myself a stack of birdie chances and if I start to convert just a few more of them I'm going to be tough to beat."

Woods has spent the last five months feeling like the whole world was against him. And that must have been perfect preparation for the fight for survival that awaited him and the rest of the Masters hopefuls at a brutal and much-changed Augusta.

The first-round birdie blitz was never going to be repeated as Masters officials tucked away the pins in impossible positions and pushed some of the tees back.

Woods took his time to plot his way around the course, two under for the day and six under overall. In fact, he was taking so long to play his shots and being so painstaking, he got a time warning on the 14th hole.

Yet the four-time Masters champ will be hoping that slow and steady wins the race.