AP, THOUSAND OAKS, California
Tiger Woods continued to show midseason form at the end of the year with a 10-under 62 on Friday, setting the course record at Sherwood Country Club and building a four-shot lead over Jim Furyk in the Target World Challenge.
Playing for the first time in 10 weeks, Woods looked as sharp as ever. He stretched his lead with a couple of long putts, one of them for eagle on the par-five 11th, and finished his record round with an 9-iron into six feet on the final hole that brought the fans to their feet.
"He's not a very friendly host to shoot 10-under," said Henrik Stenson, who played with Woods and was 10 shots worse.
Woods was at 13-under 131 as he tries to win this tournament for the fourth time. The previous record of 63 was held by three players, most recently Michael Campbell in 2005.
Furyk, coming off a seven-week break, birdied the last two holes for a 67 and will be paired with his Ryder Cup and Presidents Cup partner in the third round.
US Masters champion Zach Johnson birdied the last three holes for a 67 and was another shot behind.
Never mind that the Target World Challenge is a boondoggle for the 16-man field, with a US$5.75 million purse that is larger than some US PGA Tour events. Woods treated this like he might even get some FedEx Cup points.
"I still expect a lot from myself on each and every shot," he said. "As far as added pressure, it doesn't change. Whether it's this event or all the way up to a major championship, it's still the game. I want to get a `W.' That's why I enter the tournament."
Scores were generally low on a calm, mild afternoon in the foothills just east of the Pacific Ocean. What made Furyk take notice of Woods' round was that it was five shots better than anyone else.
"Hell of a host," Furyk said, grinning.
■ SOUTH AFRICAN OPEN
AP, PAARL, SOUTH AFRICA
James Kingston shot a three-under 69 on Friday to lead at the halfway stage of the South African Open.
Kingston's overall two-under 142 kept him one stroke clear of fellow South African Andrew McLardy and Welshman Kyron Sullivan, who each shot 71 on the 7,394-yard Pearl Valley Golf Estates course.
Players faced strong winds for the second straight day, while Kingston also had a strained neck.
"The ball was oscillating on the greens and you spend so much energy trying to stand still that it's tough to make a decent stroke, especially on the putts that require a deft touch," Kingston said.
Former top-ranked Greg Norman moved into contention on one-over and joint sixth with a second round 70, while Ernie Els fought his way back with a 70 -- after his opening 77 -- for an overall three-over, five shots off the pace.
Norman, who got an eagle on the par-five 13th, was surprised by his form.
"Two weeks ago I played a father-son tournament on the Champions Tour and I started practicing two weeks before that," Norman said. "Prior to that, if I'd played eight to 10 rounds of golf since March I'd be surprised."
Els also found some inspiration after starting his round with consecutive bogeys.
"A nightmare start, but I stuck with it and tried to make the best out of the day," Els said. "But after that start, I could easily have walked off the course with a bad back."
The difficulty of putting in the gusting conditions bothered Kingston on the first two holes. He missed a five-footer for birdie at the first and then three-putted the second from 18 feet for a bogey.
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