Aussie Marc Leishman is again knocking on Augusta National’s victory door after a five-under par 67 on day two of the 85th Masters.

Leishman brilliantly birdied his opening three holes and then after an only bogey at 11, he proceeded to birdie three of closing seven holes and move into a share of fourth place on five-under par and only two adrift of England’s Justin Rose in warm conditons at Augusta National

The 33-year-old Leishman born in rural Victoria and now residing with his family in Virginia Beach will head to round three at five-under par and only two shots behind Englishman Justin Rose.

Rose went into day two leading by four after playing his closing 11 holes on day one in nine-under par but then as it always the scenario oin golf, and that is two days are never the same, the 2016 Olympic Gold Medal winner could only produce a second day 72 to remain a seven under par.

Leishman spoke first of the importance of his brilliant birdie, birdie and birdie start on day two of what is his ninth Masters appearance.

“Yeah, I think it was really important, particularly after my finish yesterday,” he said in referring to bogeying four of his closing 10 holes.

“I got off to a good start yesterday and kind of stumbled home, given the tough conditions.  It was obviously disappointing to finish the way I did yesterday, but walking off with easy par, I was pretty happy with.  Mixed emotions, but to get off to that start today, get myself a little closer to the lead early on, and then kind of knew you’d have to get the scoring done early.

“I knew the greens would firm up, or I thought the greens would firm up, and they did.  So, yeah, I was happy with the start and was able to continue it today.

“So today’s round was fairly different.  The wind wasn’t up quite as much.  Greens not quite as firm or fast, but they were very firm and very fast yesterday.  I think they did a really good job putting the right amount of water on it, not — it wasn’t soft by any means.

“Also, my tee time is three hours earlier than yesterday too.  So that 14th, 15th, 16th greens, they’re all really, really firm.”

‘Leish’ went close to Masters victory in 2013 in being just two shots off the lead with a round to play but a second straight level par 72 saw him finish in fourth place and four shots behind fellow Aussie and good friend, Adam Scott

Leishman then finished ninth four years later behind American Patrick Reed.

Now the 12-time tournament winner is again in contention.

“I couldn’t be more excited about the weekend,” he said.

“This is why I came here.  This is the position I wanted to be in.  My game’s finally feeling good.  It’s the Masters, so yeah, I’m excited for the next two days, but there’s a lot of good shots that have to be hit and a lot of good putts made to give myself a chance going into the back nine on Sunday.

“So hopefully, I can have a good day tomorrow and put myself in that position.”