Cink still leads as rain halts play again

Tiger Woods put some daylight between himself and his rivals for the world number one spot during the rain-interrupted second round of the $7 million WGC-NEC Invitational on Friday.

The American, who has been in top spot for a record 332 weeks, was three under par through 12 holes of his second round before rain called a halt for the second day running.

Els is 11 shots behind at eight over par while Singh is eight strokes back at five over with both needing to complete their second rounds on Saturday.

Stewart Cink continued to lead at the Firestone Country Club, moving to eight under after 10 holes of his second round, three ahead of a Rory Sabbatini, Rod Pampling and Chris DiMarco, all of whom failed to finish their second rounds.

American David Toms was also on five under, although he is sitting pretty in the clubhouse after a second round 66 for a 135 halfway total.

Coming back on Friday morning to finish his first round, Cink played eight holes and moved to seven under par.

He then managed two birdies and his first bogey of the tournament before the rains returned.

Canadian Mike Weir and S.K. Ho of South Korea both shot three-under-par 67s and are five shots behind Cink.

British Open champion Todd Hamilton, Sergio Garcia of Spain, Jim Furyk, Woods and Davis Love III are also tied with Weir and Ho, but have yet to complete their second rounds.

Cink, who was named on the U.S. Ryder Cup team by captain Hal Sutton on Monday, said his putting has been the key to his progress on an extremely long course measuring 7,230 yards.

"I've made a lot of good putts and feel very comfortable on the greens," Cink said. "I'm hoping that I can continue to do that and just continue to stay comfortable and relaxed."

While playing well in Thursday's portion of the first round with five birdies in just 10 holes, Cink cooled off on Friday, missing fairways and having to scramble to make pars.

"I hit a couple of shots off the tee a little crooked, a few left, a few right into the rough, but was able to save some pars," he said.

"This delay actually might be good for me. Maybe tomorrow morning I'll get out and recapture the magic."

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