McIlroy takes two-shot lead

Woods makes big move in round two with six-under; Atwal exits

 Overnight leader McIlroy posted 69 for a 10-under-par of 134, while Day, playing alongside the Briton, streaked into contention with a spectacular 64 that was one off the championship record.

Four-time Masters winner Tiger Woods made big noise as well with seven birdies from the eighth hole onward for a 66 that lifted him into a tie with South Korean KJ Choi at seven-under-par 137. Woods, who looked in danger of missing the cut after three bogeys in the first seven holes, capped off his roaring charge with a 10-foot birdie at the last.

"I'm three back, so I played myself back in the championship," said Woods, who has gone nearly 17 months without a win and has been struggling to master a new swing. "We have still got 36 more holes. We have a long way to go."

Choi, who had taken over the tournament lead at eight-under before late starter McIlroy teed off, shot 70 after dropping a stroke by three-putting the 18th for bogey.

McIlroy, who seized the British Open lead last year at St Andrews with a 63 before soaring to a second-round 80, played strong and steady this time as he posted four birdies against a lone bogey on a hot, humid day that led to more low scoring.

The third youngster in the precocious group, Rickie Fowler, was no slouch either. The colorfully attired 22-year-old American shot 69 for 139, five shots off the pace.

On 138, four off the pace, were Australian Geoff Ogilvy and Spain's Alvaro Quiros, who had shared the first-round lead.

Ogilvy posted 69 despite four-putting for double-bogey at the par-five second. The long-hitting Quiros, who fell victim to the shortest hole on the course when he double-bogeyed the par-three 12th, birdied the last to salvage a 73.

Before Woods' charge, Fred Couples and Ricky Barnes were the only Americans on a distinctly international leaderboard.

Kaymer missed out

Among notables missing out on weekend play were world number one and PGA champion Martin Kaymer of Germany, who shot 72 for 150, twice former US Open winner Retief Goosen of South Africa, 78 for 148, and British Open champion Louis Oosthuizen, who posted 74 for 149.

India’s Arjun Atwal missed the cut despite a one-under 71 in the second round. He had two-day total of seven over 151.

Leading scores (after 36 holes): 134: Rory McIlroy (Bri, 65, 69); 136: Jason Day (Aus, 72, 64); 137: KJ Choi (Kor, 67, 70), Tiger Woods (71, 66); 138: Geoff Ogilvy (Aus, 69, 69), Alvaro Quiros (Spa, 65, 73); 139: Yang Yong-eun (Kor, 67, 72), Ricky Barnes (68, 71), Fred Couples (71, 68), Rickie Fowler (70, 69), Lee Westwood (Bri, 72, 67); 140: Charl Schwartzel (SA, 69, 71), Luke Donald (Bri, 72, 68), Jim Furyk (72, 68), Ross Fisher (Bri, 69, 71), Brandt Snedeker (69, 71), Sergio Garcia (Spa, 69, 71).