Sport Book Service | Masters 2017 leaderboard: Sergio Garcia in four-way tie for lead while Justin Rose leads English pack

JUSTIN ROSE is well placed to give England back-to-back Masters champions- while Ryder Cup hero Thomas Pieters roared to join the leaders.

The former US Open champion shot a second round 72 and only a clumsy bogey at the final hole prevented him matching joint-leader Sergio Garcia, who was the only player to break par in each of the first two rounds.

Justin Rose is leading the English charge at AugustaCredit: Reuters

Rose, 36, has always felt he was a potential winner here since he finished in a share of fifth ten years ago.

He has proved his liking for the course with a runner-up finish two years ago and two other top tens.

And he sits on one under at the half-way point, in a share of sixth with American legend Fred Couples, his fellow countryman Ryan Moore and Spaniard Jon Rahm - while defending champ Danny Willett missed the cut.

A late bogey soured Justin Rose's round somewhat but he is still well-placedCredit: AP:Associated Press

William McGirt is on his own in fifth a shot better off.

Meanwhile, Pieters turned on the power to bounce back from his first round stumble and race into contention at Augusta.

Pieters dropped five shots on the back nine on day one to finish with a level par 72 but this time he played that stretch flawlessly to join the group on four under.

Thomas Pieters' big-hitting game is perfectly suited to AugustaCredit: Reuters

Sergio Garcia is perfectly placed to end his Major duckCredit: AP:Associated Press

First round leader Charley Hoffman stumbled back to the pack on day twoCredit: AP:Associated Press

The big-hitting Belgian, who was Europes star Ryder Cup performer at Hazeltine, made mincemeat of the par five 13^th with two fearsome blows, before seeping home a ten footer for eagle.

He added a birdie on the 14^th and came home in 33 shots a seven shot improvement on the first round.

Pieters finished tied for the lead on four under with Charley Hoffman, Garcia and Rickie Fowler - all chasing their first Major.

Fowler produced the lowest score of the day, a five under par 67, to make it a logjam on four under at halfway.

Overnight leader Hoffman was the first player in the clubhouse on that mark although his second round 75 was a ten shot dip on his first effort.