Tiger Woods,eleven under,133,66 today.
Championship leader.
"It is a good spot to be in.I knew that if I could play solid and competitive that I could post a good score.I had to try to be as patient as possible. What you try to do in any tournament is not to make a mistake.Bogeys are no good on the scorecard.If you go round and do not make any bogeys in the week I guarantee you will have a chance to win.
"I feel pretty good,I am playing pretty similar to the way I played at Pebble Beach. You can mishit a shot here and get away with it but at Pebble if you mishit you are not looking too good.
"I have always enjoyed being in the lead because if you make a mistake it is not as costly as if you are behind.If you are chasing it is more pressure filled because you are forced to play well.If you are coming from a long way behind it's tough.
"I would love to see it get windy.I think that is what the Open is all about."
Loren Roberts,seven under,137,68 today.
"It is a pretty good position to be in.I have taken advantage of these two days and the tournament is just starting now. To put some heat on Tiger Woods we need to have some good weather.If the weather turns bad he is so strong with his length that it would be tough to catch him. I bumble along, I am not a high ball hitter,so these conditions suit my game.I had a good positive feeling coming in here."
Ernie Els,six under,138,72 today.
"I feel like the front nine is the scoring nine and I just couldn't get it close to the hole and make the putts for birdie.I did have chances and missed them and then I three putted the ninth as well,really from nowhere.I was very concerned about that because I fell back to four under and really way out of contention.If I am within four shots of the lead at the end of the day it will be ok.Today was my bad round.I know I can play better over the weekend and I'll do that.I just felt today was a perfect day for scoring again,I knew that when I went out.But to get off to that kind of start and lose your momemtum was disappointing.When you don't get the bounces and don't get it close to the hole the golf course can get you and it did that to me today."
Sergio Garcia,seven under,137,69 today.
"I could be a little happier but of course it is always good to shoot under par and if it is under 70 it is even better.I am just a little bit unhappy that at the end my putter let me down a little bit. I have shot two good scores and hopefully we will be able to keep it going that way.We can be in contention on the back nine on Sunday and that can be quite a thrill.I would love to play Tiger on the weekend. It would be something special."
David Toms,eight under,136,67 today.
"I haven't been paying attention to the leader board at all.I was doing the best I could,trying to figure out how to play the holes here with my caddy.That is what I have been doing since Monday,trying to figure out the best way. There has been the same wind the past two days.It has not been too difficult to figure out where to go.I felt good about my game coming in but did not really know what to expect from the golf course,the whole place in general.And my first goal was to play the weekend,just to have that experience with all the people out there at a major championship."
Jean Van der Velde.five under, 139,68 today.
"At 17 I went into the bunker to see how the ball was lying.I came back out and went in again but there was no way I could hit the ball out on to the green so I came out sideways and made five.The birdie on the last was a big boost,it came off the putter pure.
"The last three or four weeks I have been very tired but I seem to have more energy somehow.I guess it is the occasion.My reception has been fantastic but it has been like that everywhere this year.My problem over the next 24 hours will be relaxing.I will go the gym in the morning and warm up for an hour.This morning I was up at 6.10 and on the range at 7."
Davis Love,four under,140,66 today.
"I gave a bunch away out there yesterday and I had to make them up today and I didn't quite do it.The course is getting more and more confusing.It is good to get some birdies in as there are only a few out there.The course is getting firmer and firmer and it is getting choppy on the greens.With fewer people on them tomorrow it will be a little better.You have to scratch the ground to find any grass,it is amazing.I have never seen a golf course so firm but I guess that is what they wanted."
Colin Montgomerie,three under,141,70 today.
"I just putted horrendously.I had two birdies and they were all three feet and that was the longest putt I holed all day.So very very disappointing,I will go and work on it this afternoon."
Fred Couples four under,138, 68 today
"I struggled a little bit on 16 but a few of the other shots that I did hit worked out well.You have to take the good with the bad.But I really feel I like the course.
"Overall I am hoping that the wind starts blowing like it did yesterday otherwise everybody and their brother will be 5,6,7 under.Somebody will get to ten under,in my opinion,just because it was a good day for the players to play the course.
"I don 't think the bunkers are unfair but they are punishing.If you go in to the 11th or 17th bunkers you know you have made a huge mistake but you can dream at night about not going in those two.
"This is a good course for people who can manoeuvre shots.It is a good course for people who have a great short game.You don't necessarily have to putt all the time from around the greens.If I am putting up and over mounds I feel I can get up and make some shots there."
Steve Flesch--seven under,137. 70 today.
"It was not as eventful as yesterday's round.I made birdies.I was patient.I hung in there and played well.The wind started to pick up as it was when I started yesterday.At 7.30 in the morning all the first seven or eight holes are almost a little into the wind.When you turn round the wind kicks up and you play 13 through 18 into the wind.As hard as those holes are you don't need any extra stress. But the conditions were great.
"I have learned one thing,I have got to quit being so hard on myself,expecting everything to happen so easily.I have to be patient,hack in there and play the game.Hopefully I can play the way I have played the first two days.If I go out there expecting to shoot seven under at the weekend it is not fair to yourself.You have to play one day at a time,one hole at a time."
Paul Lawrie--nine over,153,75 today.
"After the 41 putts yesterday I was on ly one over on the greens today.I had one single putt and two three putts.I played reasonable. My wrist was perfect and I was 100 per cent fit on the first tee and ready to go yesterday,no problems.My year has been very frustrating.I have been injured more than ever in my life."
