The Clara man will be hoping to make some moves up the leaderbored later today.
Shane Lowry has had an up and down start to his Masters campaign.
The Offaly man carded a one under par, round of 71.
Lowry mixed four birdies with three bogeys to finish his first day in a tie for 11th.
Two double-bogeys in Rory McIlroy's last four holes undid a lot of the good work he had done yesterday.
The World Number two was 4-under-par through his opening 14 before disaster struck on 15 and on 17.
McIlroy is now level par, 7 shots off the lead held by England's Justin Rose who is 3 shots clear of the field
McIlroy will resume his second round just before 3, whilst Lowry is back out at 3-15.
Coverage with thanks to Keenan Bauer Motors Mullingar - Your home for Citroen and Honda in the Midlands - Keenanbauer.com
Alex Dunne Struggles During Qualifying Race In Abu Dhabi
Leinster Kick Off Champions Cup Campaign
Ballyhale Shamrocks And St Martin's Set To Battle For Leinster Glory
Ballyboden St Enda's Will Be Hard To Beat In Leinster Final - Gerry Buckley
U20 Finals To Be Decided In Laois
Irish World Cup Draw Well Received - Buccaneers Head Coach
Portlaoise Panthers Aiming To Progress In National Cup
Offaly GAA Award Winners Announced
Bourke Excited For "Pretty Special" AFL Opportunity
CCFL: St Peter's Keep Senior Division Title Race Pace
Edenderry, Ballyskenach, And Tullamore Win Cross Country Gold
Supporter Receives Ban For Disorderly Behavior At Quarter-Final
Laois And Leinster Champions Secure All Ireland Title Shot
Alex Dunne Passed Over By Red Bull
Panthers Fall To Another Super League Loss
Clara Emerge From Leinster Championship Defeat With Pride Intact
Clinical Ballyboden St Enda's Reach Leinster Final At Expense Of Tullamore
John Joe Nevin Secures Win In Holland
Portarlington Exit Leinster Football Championship
Alex Dunne Finishes Third In Qatar Feature Race