Tiger takes control after 65

Tiger Woods assumed his customary position on top of the leaderboard by adding a superb 65 to his opening 68 for an 11-under-par halfway total of 133.

Australian Rodney Pampling was a shot behind in second place after a 66 with compatriots Geoff Ogilvy and Wayne Smith a further stroke back.

Paul Lawrie was three shots off the lead alongside another Australian, Paul Gow, after dropping a shot at the last hole in his 69 but refused to be intimidated by the sight of the world number one at the head of affairs as usual.

"You know Tiger is going to play well so you have to play even better," said the 31-year-old Scot, without a tournament win since his triumph at Carnoustie.

"But there is no intimidation factor. You can't change what he is doing so you have to play your own game.

"He is the best player in the world by a long way and I have great respect for what he is doing. I wish I could do it, to win at the drop of a hat must be fantastic. But I think if I can play well I can beat him, there is no reason why not.

"I played well yesterday and equally good if not better today. Being four under after six holes you have the course at your mercy so to finish three under was pretty poor.

"I gave myself a lot of chances on the back nine but could not make a putt and at the last got a flier from the rough and went over the back. All week it has gone nowhere from the rough but it came out like a bullet.

"It was a bit unlucky because it was right over the flag as well, but I'm still in with a chance."

Pampling said: "I'm definitely looking forward to playing with Tiger. I played practice rounds with him at Carnoustie and Valderrama last year and his caddy Steve Williams used to work for me as well so it'll be fun."

Woods shot eight birdies and just one bogey, coming home in 31.Tiger said

"I played a lot better than yesterday," said the 24-year-old American. "I drove the ball good again and hit some good iron shots which left me with some makeable putts and I made almost every one.

"This morning the greens were a lot more receptive than yesterday afternoon. When you hit a ball in there it wouldn't skip on to the back. You could make a ball stop and I spun a few back. There was also no wind early on and it always does make a lot of difference.

"I think also if you look at my schedule I don't play a lot. This year I'm playing just 25 times and that's a lot less than most of the other guys.

"I like to schedule it and break it up so I have a lot of rest. I took five weeks off and didn't touch a club for three weeks so when I come back I feel fresh."

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