Marc Leishman continued his giant-killing performance in the second round at the Masters and vowed the likes of Masters champions Tiger Woods, Fred Couples and Angel Cabrera wouldn’t intimidate him over the weekend.

Leishman scrambled to a one-over par 73 in very tough conditions at Augusta National, leaving the 29-year-old just one shot from the lead in a tie for second with 1992 champion Couples.

While fellow Australian and joint one-time US PGA tour winner Jason Day leads the pack, star power with multiple big victories like Couples, Woods, Jim Furyk, Brandt Snedeker, Justin Rose, Cabrera, Lee Westwood, Rory McIlroy and Adam Scott are all lurking.

“It’s really good to be up there with those guys but we are competing against each other, and that’s what I’ve probably learned over the last few years; that those guys, they are great players but I’ve got to compete against them and try to beat them,” Leishman said.

“I can’t put them on a pedestal. I think I’ve gotten a little bit better at that, but it’s probably going to be hard the next two days, you know, given where we are.

“But I’ve been working hard on all that, the mental part of the game, and hopefully it will keep me in good stead for the weekend.”

Leishman went one step further when asked about 14-time major winner Woods, who sits three off the lead and two behind the Victorian.

When asked what thought came to mind he didn’t shy away from the moment.

“(I see it as) opportunity I guess, especially when I’m at the top, as well,” he said.

“That’s a good chance to prove myself.

“He’s the best player in the world at the moment, and obviously I’d have to play good to beat him but I think it’s doable.

“He’ll probably get annoyed now and shoot 62 tomorrow,” he laughed.