Tiger Woods chipped in for one of his six
birdies in a five-under 67 Friday that gave him a share of the lead with Nick
Watney at the HSBC Champions.
Making his third trip to China for this event, where he was a runner-up in his
two previous starts, Woods had a 67 for the second straight day on the Sheshan
International course.
Both Woods and Watney birdied the 18th hole to reach 10-under 134.
Watney, who was the overnight leader after a course record-tying 64 in the
first round, followed up with a 70.
There is plenty of high-wattage talent hot on their heels, however, including
2007 champion Phil Mickelson, who fired a six-under 66 to move within a shot
of the lead.
Long-hitting Alvaro Quiros of Spain was the top non-American on the
leaderboard with a 66 that moved him into a tie with Mickelson and Ryan Moore
(69) at nine-under 135.
Anthony Kim, coming off a runner-up finish at the World Match Play
Championship, had a 69 and was alone at eight-under 136.
Pat Perez (69) stood at seven-under 137 and yet another American, Brian Gay
(69), was tied with India's Jyoti Randhawa (70) at six-under 138.
In its first year as part of the World Golf Championships -- and the PGA Tour
schedule -- the co-sanctioned event has attracted an elite field this week
with top stars from all over the globe.
Woods made good as the top-ranked draw, rallying for a piece of the 36-hole
lead in his first competitive golf since the Presidents Cup a month ago.
The highlight of his round was a chip-in birdie from next to the green at the
16th, which drew him within a shot of Watney's lead. Woods looked to be in
trouble at the hole after an off-line shot left him with an awkward stance in
the rough.
Woods, like Watney had several groups earlier, reached the front of the green
at the 538-yard 18th in two shots. He lagged his first putt close to set up a
closing birdie that tied him atop the leaderboard with his fellow American.
The world No. 1 collected four birdies and posted a flawless 32 on the back
nine. He had a more up-and-down front nine, however, with two birdies and a
bogey at the par-three sixth.
Woods has bogeyed No. 6 two days in a row -- his only dropped shots of the
tournament thus far.
"I got off to a good start and birdied the very first hole, but after that I
didn't really make any putts," said Woods, who has won 16 World Golf
Championship events. "I certainly had some looks at them and didn't really
capitalize on anything."
Watney birdied his last two holes after playing his first 16 at even-par. This
year's Buick Invitational champion finished the round with five birdies, a
bogey and a double-bogey.
Mickelson moved into contention by playing his final 12 holes at six-under
par. Lefty birdied three of his last four -- sparked by a chip-in at the 15th.
"It was a good round. I played well to shoot six under," said Mickelson. "I
had a couple of chip-ins which was nice and kept the ball in play throughout
the day and then made a couple of birdies at the end."
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