Price stays two shot clear

Nick Price drew on all his experience at the five-million-dollar Valderrama World Golf Championship on Friday to stay two shots ahead after the second round.

The 43-year-old Zimbabwean battled to hold his game together in tricky, gusting winds to card an even-par 72 for a nine-under-par total of 135. His 63 in ideal conditions on Thursday had been one off the course record.

Japan's Hidemichi Tanaka stormed though the field to lead the chase while Ireland's Padraig Harrington was three shots adrift and American pair Mark Calcavecchia and Duffy Waldorf were four behind.

Tiger Woods, the world number one and 19 years younger than the tournament leader, was on four under par and in joint sixth place after carding a 69.

His round included an approach into the water at the par-five 17th for the second day in succession, an incident which led to him flinging away his club in disgust.

Colin Montgomerie claimed his second hole-in-one in successive tournaments -- a four iron at the 195-yard 12th -- as well as holing a 100-yard pitch shot to move to two under after a 67.

The Scot began the day in 47th place and ended it in a share for 11th. He must win the one-million-dollar first prize to have a chance of retaining his European order of merit title for the eighth year in succession.

The best round of the day, however, came from Tanaka. His six-under-par round of 66 included five birdies and an eagle.

Calcavecchia, the 1989 British Open winner and like Price in his 40s, would have matched him but for a bogey at the 18th.

Darren Clarke of Northern Ireland and Lee Westwood, the two men best placed to inherit Montgomerie's title, both ended on level par overall, Clarke carding a 70 and the Englishman a second 72 .

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