Americans dominate at Dunlop Phoenix

Defending champion Tiger Woods fired a 3-under-par 67 on Friday to move within one shot of leader Jim Furyk after the second round of the Dunlop Phoenix.

Woods, who trailed David Duval by one stroke after the first round, had five birdies against a pair of bogeys at the par-70 Phoenix Country Club and is tied for second with Duval, who shot 68 Friday, at 8-under 132.

"I'm very happy, considering I missed a bunch of putts today and didn't drive as well as yesterday," said Woods. "To be only one back is pretty good."

Furyk had the day's best round of 64 that featured seven birdies and a lone bogey.

"It was a very good round," said Furyk, who's 9-under 131. "I put myself in a position to win."

Furyk said he was looking forward to playing with Woods and Duval in the third round.

"All three of us have played a lot of golf together," Furyk said. "We're good friends and it would be a fun pairing for all of us."

Woods, who had bogeys on the second and sixth holes, said he wasn't satisfied with his driving.

"I basically had three bad drives and they cost me a couple of shots," Woods said. "I've got a few things I need to work on in practice but should be OK for tomorrow."

It was another strong outing for Duval, who had four birdies on the back nine after a pair of bogeys on Nos. 1 and 10.

"I feel fine," the 34-year-old Duval said. "I'm gaining confidence. I was 2-over par after the turn and to turn it around and make those birdies coming in makes me confident about what I'm doing."

Duval, the world's former No. 1 player, has made the cut only once this year: at the Texas Open in September.

Duval's last victory was here in 2001.

"I've always felt at home here," Duval said. "I get along with the people here and just feel that it's one of the nicest places I've ever been to."

Duval has won 13 times on the PGA Tour and was ranked No. 1 in 1999.

But hampered by back and shoulder problems, his game began to deteriorate in 2002, and he has struggled since.

Woods is coming off two runner-up finishes at the HSBC Champions in Shanghai last week and the Tour Championship two weeks ago. He's looking to get back on the winning track at the $1.7 million tournament, the richest on the Japanese tour.

After Japan, Woods will return to the United States to close out the year with appearances at the PGA Grand Slam in Hawaii, the Skins Game and the Target World Challenge in California.

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