Mike Weir. Zach Johnson. Steve Flesch?

Steve Flesch acknowledges the crowd as he leaves the 18th green after shooting 67 in the second round of the Masters Tournament. (Annette M. Drowlette/Staff)

Following the path of previous medium-length Masters Tournament winners, Flesch finds himself in contention entering weekend play.

The left-handed Kentuckian took advantage of the par-5 holes Friday en route to 5-under-par 67 in the second round. He surged from a tie for 19th place after 18 holes to a tie for third, three shots behind 36-hole leader Trevor Immelman.

"All those cliches of saying how you got to play fast greens and a difficult golf course -- I did it today," said Flesch, ranked No. 107 in the world. "When I get to hitting the ball solidly like I did today and yesterday, I hit it pretty good.

"I know I can win this tournament, or any tournament."

Flesch, ranked No. 146 on the PGA Tour with a 276.4 driving distance average, said he tried to apply the Johnson strategy to his game and lay up on all the par-5s. He did so on the front nine, recording birdies at Nos. 2 and 8, but after hitting a solid tee shot at No. 13, he found himself with a chance to make up ground.

"I wasn't planning on going for any par-5s this week," Flesch said, "but I got the tee ball out where I only had 233 downwind, 200 front, and I thought, 'You can't hit it out here this far and not go for it.' "

Flesch flushed a 3-iron, knocking it to two feet for eagle. He later went for the green in two at the par-5 15th, hitting a 5-wood 237 yards to just off the back of the green. He got up and down for birdie.

Caddie Paul Fusco said the course sets up great for Flesch, who likes to hit fade shots. Flesch hit 10 of 14 fairways and parred all the par-3 and par-4 holes.

"He's long enough, but he's not a bomber," Fusco said. "He just hit the ball well today."

Flesch also helped himself on the greens, needing just 27 putts. He kept his round together by making crucial par putts, such as a tricky downhill 8-footer at No. 3 and a 6-footer at No. 10.

"Watching him roll the rock all day really helps," playing partner Johnson Wagner said.

"He made some real nice par putts," Fusco said. "He just hit the ball well today."

After 66 years of right-handed domination in the tournament, left-handers have won three of the past five Masters (Mike Weir and Phil Mickelson, twice). Flesch is one of a record six southpaws in this year's event.

He is making his fourth Masters appearance and first since 2005, when he tied for 29th. Flesch qualified for Augusta by winning two PGA Tour events last year and finishing in the top 30 on the money list.

"It's one of my favorite events," he said. "I haven't been here in three years, and I'm glad to be back."

Reach Chris Gay at (706) 823-3645 or chris.gay@augustachronicle.com.