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Singh works his way up the leaderboard in Canada

Vijay Singh waves after putting out on the 18th hole in the second round at the Canadian Open Golf championship at Angus Glen in Markham, Canada, on Friday. PHOTO: AP

Vijay Singh patiently worked his way up the leaderboard, leaving playing partner Mike Weir behind again in the Canadian Open on Friday.

The 2004 winner in a playoff with Weir, Singh shot a six-under 65 to finish the second round a stroke behind leaders Steve Allan and John Mallinger.

"The golf course isn't very difficult, but the pin placements are," said Singh, making his 10th appearance in the event. "The pin placements are very much on little slopes and you've got to be on the correct side of the pin. A lot of times you're 6, 8 feet [2m to 3m] away, but you have to read it so well and make a perfect putt to make it."

Weir nearly missed the cut for the second straight year and the 11th time in 16 starts in his national championship. The Canadian followed his opening 71 with a 70 to qualify for weekend play by a stroke at one under.

"It was a struggle all the way around," the 2003 Masters champion said. "I'll go to the range and try to figure it out. I've got to play really well to get back into this thing. You never know when your game can come around."

Allan added a 68 to his opening 64 to match Mallinger (66) at 10-under 132 on Angus Glen's North Course. Tripp Isenhour (68) joined Singh at nine under.

"I've been playing well, but just haven't cracked the big finish," said Allan, a 33-year-old Australian who won the 1998 German Open and 2002 Australian Open.

Allan birdied the par three 17th, hitting his tee shot within centimeters, and saved par on the par four 18th with a 3m putt.

"It's generous off the tee and I'm driving it well," Allan said.

Mallinger had five birdies in his bogey-free round.

"My driving's been great this week," Mallinger said. "When you drive well here you get some good looks at the pins."

Singh made a 12m putt from just off the green on the par three 14th to reach eight under, and briefly tied Allan for the lead with a two-putt birdie on the par five 15th. The three-time major champion also made a 8m putt for par on 17.

"I'm looking forward to playing a solid weekend," Singh said. "Win or lose, I'll go out there and try to play my game."

The 44-year-old Fijian won the season-opening Mercedes Benz Championship and the Arnold Palmer Invitational in March to push his US PGA Tour victory total to 31.
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