Charles Howell keeps saying it, but he can't explain what it means.

"This doesn't feel like a golf tournament," he said of his hometown Masters Tournament.

Howell has never been shy about how important the Masters is in his career goals. The Augusta native wants a green jacket more than anything else in the world.

Maybe reducing the Masters to something other than a golf tournament is his way of coping with the nerves that inevitably will come with the hunt. Maybe it can help him this weekend, as his lifelong dream is tantalizingly within reach.

Howell is four strokes off the Masters lead at age 24. Posting a second consecutive 71 Friday has him at 2-under for the tournament, just four shots behind friend and leader Justin Rose (Stats | Bio) , of England.

"I thought early in the week that four 71s would do pretty good here," he said.

Aside from what Howell dubbed a "stupid" bogey on No. 13 after missing left of the par-5 green in two shots, the young Augustan made the most of his round. He converted a slick birdie from four feet on No. 7 and rolled in sizable birdie putts from the aprons on Nos. 15 and 17.

"There's still 36 holes left, and I've still got a bit of room to make up," he said. "You can't even do that. It's about making pars and taking the birdies when you can. It's about being patient, I guess."

Howell's steady play has him in position at exactly the right moment. He has experimented with a few things this season, including forged irons and an overloaded West Coast schedule, and it hasn't met with ideal results. He's still waiting to put together a run of spectacular golf that will separate him from the field.

"It's been an interesting year so far," he said. "I haven't played well this year. I have had some good moments here and there, but nothing for any period of time."

Howell spent the week before the Masters watching old videos of himself with swing instructor David Leadbetter, and they each reached the conclusion that Howell is doing everything better in his third full PGA Tour season.

"My swing is miles better; my putting is better; everything's better," he said. "But I just haven't been playing that well. Who knows? Maybe I'm due for something good to happen."

Howell won't do anything differently when he stays at his parents' home just two miles from Augusta National. He'll talk golf with his agent, his sports psychologist and Leadbetter, and watch all the Masters highlights shows on television, as he has since he was a boy. He'll play with his puppy to take his mind off everything.

"The key is not to look for the answers, because if you do it will have you questioning everything, from your wife to your caddie to your golf clubs to which side of the bed you're sleeping on," Howell said. "When guys get in trouble, they start looking for answers that are not there."

The way he is playing now, Howell seems to have found enough answers already. Nick Price (Stats | Bio) , his friend and playing partner the first two rounds, certainly thinks so.

"I'm really impressed," Price said. "He's maturing so nicely as a golfer. He is so focused. He is trying so hard. I think it is just a matter of time before the big bell is going to ring for him. I love the way he plays the game. He's so complete."

Is Augusta the perfect place and now the perfect time for that bell to ring?

"I would love for it to be," he said. "I'd jump up and down. If it's meant to be, it's meant to be. If not, I'll come back next year and do the best I can again."

Reach Scott Michaux at (706) 823-3219 or scott.michaux@augustachronicle.com.