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
Paul Loonam Set For First Title Fight
Offaly's Alex Dunne Places 4th In F2 Qualifying In Bahrain
Offaly Begin Leinster Football Championsip This Weekend
Leinster Minor Football Championship Round Up
"I'd Be Positive For Westmeath" - John Heslin
Laois And Roscommon Meet In Camogie Division 3A Final
Offaly's Alex Dunne Set For Bahrain This Weekend
Shane Lowry Tees Off At The Masters This Evening
Laois Soccer Club Looking For Answers After Community Grant Snub
Offaly Head To Thurles To Face Derry In National Camogie Division 2A Final
Leinster Minor Football Championship Resumes Tonight
Portlaoise Panthers Aiming For History In Men's National League Final
Laois's Cian Reddy Back In The Ring This Weekend
Laois Travel To Carlow In U20 Leinster Championsip
Wesmeath U20s Face Into Winner Takes All Clash Against Dublin
The Club Must Stick Together - Dario Castello Athlone Town Manager
Westmeath Take On Kildare In Leinster Football Championship
Galway Hurlers Prove To Strong For Offaly In U20 Championship
Leinster And All Ireland Champions Offaly Begin Defence of U20 Leinster title tonight