Tiger Woods in the groove

Tiger Woods lived up to his billing as pre-tournament favourite with a superb start to his second round at Carnoustie.

The world number one began the day three shots off the lead after a first round 74 over the tough Scottish links yesterday, surviving everything the course could throw at him and even an encounter with a scantily-clad fan on the 18th green.

But he quickly closed the gap on overnight leader Rodney Pampling to delight the large gallery watching his every move.

The 23-year-old was just through the green on the first hole but continued where he left off from in the first round with the putter, holing from 30 feet for a birdie.

Three straight pars followed before a superb approach set up a 10 foot birdie chance which was gratefully accepted.

That took him to just one over par after six holes and one adrift of Pampling who was not due out until shortly before noon.

Woods had begun the day tied with home hope Colin Montgomerie after both posted first round 74s but while the American prospered, Monty was battling to tread water.

A three-putt on the first cost him a shot and consecutive bogeys on the seventh and eighth saw him to the turn in three-over-par 39.

Spirits were raised briefly with a first birdie of the day at the par four 10th but that shot gained was instantly given back on the next, leaving the 36-year-old Scot on six over par.

Fellow Briton Lee Westwood was also six over thanks to a birdie on the ninth while playing partner Greg Norman reached the turn in 35 with one birdie and eight pars taking him to four over and well in touch.

Nick Faldo was not faring so well, the three time winner starting bogey-double bogey and standing 10 over after eight holes.

The 41-year-old has never missed a cut in 23 consecutive Opens but even at 10 over still had a chance of making it for the weekend and celebrating his birthday here on Sunday.

Meanwhile the best golf of the day was coming from former USPGA champion Mark Brooks who reached the turn in 32, four under par, the only player to do so, so far.

Brooks, PGA champion in 1996 at Valhalla was fifth in the Open in the same year, picked up shots at the first, second, fourth and sixth but after an 82 yesterday was still well off the pace.

Miguel Angel Martin was also going well, the Spaniard, who parred the first 15 holes yesterday in his 74, birdied the third to get back to two over.