Robert Allenby moves two shots clear

Robert Allenby led an Australian assault on the leaderboard at the Booz Allen Classic on Friday, carding a six-under 65 to go two shots clear after the second round in Potomac, Maryland.

Allenby, who has missed the cut in four of his last eight events, struck a rich vein of form at the historic Congressional Golf Club, mixing a single bogey with seven birdies to finish on nine-under 133.

Two shots back on 135 were champion Adam Scott and his fellow Australian Steve Elkington, Britain's Lee Westwood and overnight leader Matt Gogel of the U.S.

"There are so many Aussies now that are playing so well," Allenby told reporters. "We're loving it over here.

"I haven't been up to par definitely the last year or so. You go through those stages.

"I had a bad year last year and I finished just outside the top 40....golf is one of those things, it goes around in cycles, you can't play well all the time."

Scott, a winner earlier this season at the rain-shortened Nissan Open, and Elkington, winner of the 1995 U.S. PGA Championship, returned 67s.

Gogel signed for a one-over 72 but remained in contention on the strength of his course record eight-under 63 on Thursday.

Westwood had a rollercoaster afternoon, mixing three bogeys with three birdies and an eagle to register a 69.

"It was a very consistent round today," said Scott. "I played a lot better than I did yesterday.

"I'm really putting well at the moment which is keeping everything moving forward. I'm making some nice length putts and making all the short ones too."

Ernie Els, who captured his second U.S. Open at the Congressional in 1997, hit a four-under 67 to join four others on 136.

Phil Mickelson followed up an even-par opening round with a 67 to finish four-under on 138.

World number one Vijay Singh of Fiji erased fears he may miss the cut for the second week in a row when he registered a 69 to join South African Retief Goosen among others on 140.

Goosen, who will defend his U.S. Open title in Pinehurst, North Carolina next week, carded a one-under 70 for the second successive day.

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