Scott McCarron, who uses a long putter to solve previous woes on the greens, is one shot out of the lead at the midway point of the Masters Tournament.

Yeah, right. Just like David Duval and Tiger Woods are well off the pace in the year's first major.

But it's true. The long-hitting McCarron made six birdies en route to a 4-under 68 and is one stroke behind Jose Maria Olazabal after 36 holes.

``That's a myth,'' McCarron said when asked to explain how a player using a long putter can tame Augusta National's slick greens. ``People who say that don't putt with a long putter.''

More than a decade ago, McCarron almost gave up the game for good. After a less-than-stellar college career at UCLA, he quit playing in 1988 and went to work in the family business. He rediscovered the urge in 1991 and almost won the U.S. Mid-Amateur a year later. But his real inspiration came by watching a senior tour event in his California hometown.

A lot of the older players were using long-shafted putters, so he went home that night and worked on an old Ping putter. Through two rounds this week, he is 16th in the field in putting.

McCarron dismisses the notion that, just because he isn't a household name, he will fold this weekend.

``I don't feel like I'm a lesser-known when I'm playing with (Fred) Couples or (Davis) Love, I know I can beat them or I'm as good as them,'' he said. ``If you don't, you can't stay out here long.''

McCarron got off to a good start Friday with a birdie on the first hole, then he drained a 50-foot putt for birdie on the fourth hole. He stumbled with bogeys on both par-3s on the back nine, but made up for them with birdies on Nos. 13, 14, 15 and 18.

``It (the course) played more difficult out there,'' he said. ``I'm really proud, but I made some good par saves.''

This is McCarron's fourth Masters appearance. He finished tied for 10th in his debut in 1996.

But so far, 1999 has been a struggle for the winner of the 1996 Freeport McDermott and the 1997 BellSouth Classic. His best finish this year was a tie for 22nd at the Phoenix Open, and he missed the cuts at The Players Championship and BellSouth leading into the Masters.

In addition to putting well this week, McCarron has impressed the galleries with his length off the tee. He has had less than 100 yards into the 18th hole, an uphill par-4 of 405 yards, both days. He is sixth in driving distance through two rounds, averaging 285 yards on the two holes measured, Nos. 5 and 8.

``I've always hit the golf ball far,'' he said. ``It's only been recently that I've been able to find it.''