Given how tough Augusta National Golf Club has played the first two days, the 36 golfers who won't be around for weekend play might consider themselves the lucky ones.

Sergio Garcia cleans the area around his ball after driving into the rough on the first fairway during Friday's second round. The young Spaniard had a two-day total of 10-over-par 154 to miss the cut by two shots in his ninth appearance at Augusta National. (Chris Thelen/Staff)

The 60 who will play today can expect more of the same, if not tougher, course conditions. Players wanted to find out what the course would be like if it stayed firm and fast, and now they know.

The second-round total of 2-under-par 142 by co-leaders Brett Wetterich and Tim Clark is one of the highest scores by a second-round leader in Masters Tournament history. The highest leading score at the halfway point, 144, was set in 1954 and matched in 1982.

The Masters allows the low 44 players and ties, plus anyone within 10 shots of the lead, to make the cut. It took a score of 8-over 152 to make this year's cut.

Only three players were able to string together three consecutive birdies in Friday's round. It was worse Thursday, when no player was able to do so.

"It was all defense today," said two-time Masters winner Tom Watson, whose triple bogey on No. 18 left him at 9-over par for the tournament and one shot over the cut.

"These greens are the toughest I've seen them."

Ernie Els hits on the first fairway during Friday's second round at Augusta National. Els missed his second Masters cut since 1994 after posting rounds of 78-76, two shots over the cut line. (Chris Thelen/Staff)

Ernie Els probably would agree. The South African, one of the dark horses coming into Augusta, missed only his second cut at the Masters since 1994.

He shot 4-over-par 76 on Friday. That was two shots better than his score in Thursday's opening round, but his cumulative 10-over 154 was two shots too many over par.

Other notables who joined Els for a short work week include Chris DiMarco (9-over par), Colin Montgomerie (9-over par) and Sergio Garcia (10-over par).

None of the five amateurs - John Kelly, Richie Ramsay, Julien Guerrier, Casey Watabu and David Womack - will be in the field this weekend. Kelly, the U.S. Amateur runner-up, finished with the lowest score at 10-over par.

Darren Clarke, who was two shots over the cut at 10-over par, probably had the best plan among those golfers who are leaving Augusta.

"I plan to go back to the beach in the Bahamas," said the 10-time Masters participant, who hails from Northern Ireland.

Reach Mike Wynn at (706) 823-3218 or mike.wynn@augustachronicle.com.