Retief Goosen comfortable in the lead

The marathon grind is only halfway complete at Pinehurst's No. 2 course but Retief Goosen holds a clear advantage going into the last two rounds of the 105th U.S. Open.

The ice-cool South African, who moved into a three-way tie for the lead with a level-par 70 in Friday's second round, has twice won the title and feels a level of comfort that he experiences at no other major.

On top of that, Goosen has perfect U.S. Open credentials, according to twice winner Tiger Woods.

"It's mainly his attitude," world number one Woods told reporters after shooting a 71 in difficult conditions for a share of 10th place at one-over 141. "The guy is so good and so solid.

"He's very calm, very cool and very patient, and that's the way you have to be. I mean, you can't have highs and lows at a U.S. Open because it'll bite you.

"This golf course is set up very similar to how Shinnecock played, hard and fast. The fairways are unbelievably fast and it's tough to keep the ball in the fairway."

Goosen, who won his first U.S. Open at Southern Hills in 2001, clinched his second 12 months ago in a brutal last-day at fast-running Shinnecock Hills.

Known for his unflappable temperament and ability to grind out pars on tough layouts, the 36-year-old South African has felt at home in U.S. Opens since missing the cut on his first two appearances in 1998 and 1999.

"For some reason I seem to do a lot better in this one," he said. "I suppose once you've done it once, you sort of feel like you can do it again.

"And I suppose it's more of a confidence thing that when you're out there, you feel just a little bit more comfortable than you probably would do in any of the other major events.

"I'm excited about this weekend and hopefully I can keep it up and see if I can win it for the third time."

Nicknamed "The Goose", Goosen said he was happy enough with his performance on day two, despite slipping back from four under over the last five holes.

"I don't think you can really distance yourself at this event," he said after joining American qualifiers Olin Browne and Jason Gore at the top of the leaderboard on two-under 138.

"But I didn't feel like finishing four under was any advantage, really, to where I am now.

"Two under is a good score and it's going to be a tough grinding weekend out there. It's just who is going to make the least mistakes."

Goosen, who has been paired with Browne for the third round, is scheduled to tee off at 1500 Eastern Time (1900 GMT) on Saturday.