Martin Laird makes cut, while Sandy Lyle shoots an 80

SCOTLAND'S representatives at Augusta enjoyed contrasting fortunes yesterday as Martin Laird made a fine recovery, while former champion Sandy Lyle fell away badly.

Laird, 28, pulled his socks up from the disappointment of his first round of 74 yesterday to come into the clubhouse with a 69 thanks to six birdies including one at the 18th which made up for a ropey start with a bogey. The Glasgow-born player's total of 143 should be enough for the only Scot currently on the PGA Tour to make the cut for the weekend at Augusta although he faced a nervous wait until the round was completed as the projected cut of 146 was confirmed.

Lyle, winner of two majors, on the other hand, endured a miserable day.

The first day's 73 was only a foretaste of the horrors to come as the 53-year-old scored an 80.

His round started badly with a double bogey and though he fought back for an eagle 3 at the par 5 second, he could not halt the slide and picked up six bogeys in the next seven holes.

Three more were to follow and although he reacted well to a double bogey at the 16th with two birdies to finish, the damage had been done.

There was a crumb of comfort for him in that his total of 153 left him just ahead of equally esteemed figures such as Vijay Singh, Ian Woosnam, Ben Crenshaw and Henrik Stenson.