Woods opens up four-stroke lead

Hunting his first victory of a year he has described as ‘very painful’ on and off the course, Woods looked much more like his former self as he fired a flawless six-under 66 at Sherwood Country Club.

One ahead overnight after opening with a sparkling 65 in his own tournament, the four-times champion mixed four birdies with an eagle three at the second to post a 13-under total of 131.

For the second day in a row, Woods mastered the five par-fives on the scenic layout framed by the Santa Monica Mountains, covering those holes in five-under to tighten his grip on the elite 18-player event.

Woods has not held the outright lead after 36 holes since last year's Australian Masters and he was delighted to be back in territory where he has flourished for much of his career.

US Open champion Graeme McDowell carded a 68 to lie second at nine-under, one ahead of fellow Northern Irishman Rory McIlroy (70) and Englishman Luke Donald (66).

Britain's Paul Casey was alone at six-under after holing out with a seven-iron at the par-three 12th en route to a bogey-free 65, the day’s lowest round.

Woods, however, never looked back after strengthening his hold on the tournament at the par-five second. From the first cut of rough on the left, he struck a superb high fade with a four-iron to set up an eagle putt from 10 feet.