Dustin Johnson, who finished tied second at last year's Masters, is part of a four-way tie for the lead after day two ©Getty Images

Four players share the lead after two days of action at The Masters at Augusta National Golf Club, although the tournament is still playing catch-up owing to a day-one weather delay.

Abraham Ancer of Mexico, Cameron Smith of Australia and two Americans - Justin Thomas and Dustin Johnson - co-lead at nine under par in Georgia having all completed two rounds.

Ancer, making his debut at the major tournament, shot a five-under-par round of 67 which included birdies at the 2nd, 6th, 8th, 12th, 14th and 16th holes - with his only blemish being a bogey on the 10th.

Smith, who is making his fourth appearance at the event, had an eventful four-under-par round of 68 which featured six birdies, including at the last three holes of his round, four bogeys and an eagle at the 15th.

Johnson, who finished tied for second at last year's Masters, carded a two-under-par round of 70 which featured four birdies in five holes around the turn, immediately followed by back-to-back bogeys.

Thomas, who finished 12th at last year's Masters, carded an eventful three under-par-round of 69 which started with a double bogey, included two further bogeys and seven birdies, headline by four in a row on his last four holes.

Masters debutant Abraham Ancer of Mexico shares the lead after two days of action at Augusta National ©Getty Images
Masters debutant Abraham Ancer of Mexico shares the lead after two days of action at Augusta National ©Getty Images

One shot further back there is a four-way tie for fifth place at eight under par between American Patrick Cantlay, South Korean Im Sung-jae, Japan's Hideki Matsuyama, who has played 15 holes, and Spain's Jon Rahm, who has played 12.

One shot behind that group there is a five-way tie for ninth place at seven under par between a trio of Englishmen - Lee Westwood, Danny Willett and Justin Rose - CT Pan of Chinese Taipei, who has played 16 holes, and Louis Oosthuizen of South Africa who has played 12.

One shot behind them is a further group of five players which includes England's Paul Casey, the overnight leader, who sits at six under par through 11 holes.

The second round is due to resume at 7.30am local time tomorrow, with a large proportion of the field still to finish.

Once they have, the cut will be determined, with the top 50 players and ties advancing to the final two rounds.

As it stands the projected cut is level par, meaning among those to miss out would be American Bryson DeChambeau, the winner of the last men's major, the US Open in September, although he still has six holes of his round left to play.

A three-hour delay due to inclement weather on day one has put the tournament behind schedule, although organisers are hoping that with a more promising forecast for the weekend they will be able to catch up tomorrow.