GOLF US TOUR:CAMILO VILLEGAS added a two-under-par 70 to his opening 63 to maintain his grip on the lead during the second round of the Buick Invitational in San Diego yesterday.

The Colombian, playing the more difficult South Course at a wet Torrey Pines, had three birdies and one bogey, at the first, his 10th, to lie on 11 under par, two shots clear of John Rollins and four clear of American Charley Hoffman.

Pádraig Harrington, who was playing with Villegas for the first two rounds, fired a two-over 74 to added to his 71 to lie on one over par, just a shot inside the projected cut.

The Dubliner bogeyed the 11th, 13th and fourth and looked like having the weekend off, but birdies at the fifth and sixth steadied the ship, and he could afford another bogey at the par three eighth to still get through.

Six-time champion Tiger Woods has provided a major talking point at this week’s tournament, despite being a conspicuous absentee.

The world number one has not played since winning the US Open at the same venue in June and there has been widespread speculation about his comeback.

While most insiders expect Woods to return for one or two events next month to help him prepare for the April 9th-12th US Masters, he has been missed by his rivals on the PGA Tour.

“It’s the same as needing Fred Couples back on top or Greg Norman or Nick Price or Jack Nicklaus or Arnold Palmer,” said Davis Love.

“We’ve always had the guy. It’s okay if they (older players) kind of fade away because somebody takes their place. But when he gets hurt, it would be like Michael Jordan or Wayne Gretzky in their prime taking a season off.

“But we miss him mostly as a friend,” added the 44-year-old. “You know, I haven’t seen him in, what, seven months or more. We want him back out.”