John Senden looked down a personal Masters gauntlet on Friday and not only burst through, but thrived.

Senden had been to Augusta National three times before this year and missed the cut each time, and after an opening round 72 he was no certainty to break the streak.

But the pure ball-striking 41-year-old shook off the nerves of previous years and surged not only to the weekend, but also into contention to be the first Australian to win the green jacket.

Senden was within one stroke of the lead during his back nine on Sunday and although he faded a little with two bogeys he remains just four shots off fellow Queenslander Jason Day’s lead.

In a banner day for Australian golf Senden, just four back in a tie for 14th, is actually the worst placed Aussie with Marc Leishman one back and Adam Scott just three off the pace.

His two-under 70 was a personal best for the course and it could have quite easily been better.

“I was right in there for a while and I was really happy the way I held my composure with the wind and the conditions,” Senden said.

“It was a challenge today. I was playing well enough to shoot something nicely out there and I just had to stop the mistakes.

“I think that I left a few out there but then again I was shooting my best score ever here.

“It’s a stepping stone for me. I have to take that as a positive and say that I have as much chance as anyone out here on the weekend.”

Senden admitted seeing his Aussie mates on the boards lifted his performance.

“It gives you a lot of inspiration to try and be part of a team, the Aussie team,” he said.

“It was fun. I actually looked at it (his name) and thought, that’s cool.

“Except that is what I’m supposed to do, be on the boards.

“So now I have to get out there and try and see if I can accept the challenge to get on the leaderboard and see how I handle it. This is why we practice so hard. I need to go out and get it for the weekend.”