April 10 (Reuters) - Former ⁠U.S. Open champion Wyndham Clark used patience, positivity and the sheer beauty of ⁠Augusta National Golf Club to vault himself into Masters contention onFriday.

World number ‌78 Clark, who began the dayfive shots off the pace set by overnight co-leaders Rory McIlroy and Sam Burns, carded a four-under-par 68 to reach four under for the tournament, making his move on a ​warm, sunny day with firmer and faster conditions that promised ⁠to test the field's later ⁠starters.