That took the 34-year-old Native American, four times a winner on the US Tour prior to suffering chronic back problems, clear at seven under, but he then started the front nine with a bogey five.

As a result Begay was alongside overnight leader Ricardo Santos, who was among the day's later starters, and one ahead of former Ryder Cup player Peter Baker and Swede Alexander Noren.

Baker was another who had yet to resume, but Noren had an eagle and three birdies in his first 10 holes.

Begay roomed with Woods at Stanford University in California and they went on to be teammates in the 1995 Walker Cup at Porthcawl in Wales and then partners in the 2000 Presidents Cup.

Welshman Bradley Dredge, who makes his Masters debut in two weeks and is a former winner of the Madeira title, was in joint 20th place with seven holes of his second round to play.

England's Kenneth Ferrie, also Augusta-bound, was one stroke further back on level par.