Westwood's second-round 73 came despite two closing bogeys

Westwood, who made the cut on the mark, said Augusta "just asks too many questions that there is no answer to".

He added: "When the course was shorter more of us would have had an answer, but now there are only six or seven people in the field who can win it.

"It is a bit of a shame really because it used to be a shot-maker's course."

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At 7,445 yards, Augusta National is the second longest course used in the history of the majors having been lengthened following Tiger Wood's record-breaking exploits in 1997.

"I wouldn't say it's unfair, but it is not fair for everybody," added Westwood, who picked up two shots within five holes but mixed four bogeys with three further birdies before ending with two dropped shots.

Two-time US Open champion Retief Goosen was also eight over after two 76s, but Colin Montgomerie bogeyed the last for a 77 to slip to nine over and a fourth successive early exit from the Masters.

Westwood's close friend Darren Clarke ended 10 over after adding an impressive 71 to his opening 83.

Clarke was three under for the day with three birdies through 15 holes but squandered his chance of breaking 70 with two straight bogeys to finish.

"Apart from a bogey, bogey finish I played pretty well today. And strange as it may sound, I didn't play as badly as 83 yesterday," said Clarke.

Denmark's Thomas Bjorn was another European resigned to an early flight home after a brace of 77s for 10 over, the same as Spain's Sergio Garcia (76, 78), while English debutant Kenneth Ferrie ran up an 83 for 14 over.