Digest: A resurgent Tiger Woods shot a three-under-par 67 to preserve his three-stroke advantage at the halfway point of the Dunlop Phoenix tournament in Japan yesterday.
The American, who has not won a strokeplay title all year, made three birdies against a sole bogey at the 16th to reach the clubhouse on a two-round total of eight-under-par 132.
"I feel like I'm hitting my shots more comfortably," said Woods, who leads 2002 champion Kaname Yokoo of Japan by three in wind-swept Miyazaki.
"All the things I've been working on this year feel like they're coming together."
Woods won the last of his eight majors at the 2002 US Open and lost his grip on the world number one ranking to Fiji's Vijay Singh in September after five years at the top.
But the 28-year-old again showed glimpses of his old form during yesterday's second round, making an incredible par save after his tee-shot found the trees on the par-four seventh.
His second shot hit a tree and ricocheted into the rough, but Woods, aiming for his first title in Japan, rescued the situation with a nine-iron to within two feet of the pin.
American Christian Pena had eight birdies in the day's lowest round of 63 to take sole possession of third place on four-under 136 at the $1.9-million event, the richest in Japan.
Denmark's Thomas Bjorn, the defending champion, was tied for 32nd on four-over after following his opening round of 75 with a 69.
Scores in SPORTS ROUND-UP
CLUB AWARDS: Headfort, Co Meath, has become the first Leinster club to win the AIB All Ireland Golf Club of the Year title. The award, and a development grant of €6,000, was presented to the club at a function at the AIB Bankcentre, Dublin, last night
All Ireland category awards were also presented to Elm Park, Holywood and Cork Golf Club.
This is the third year for the awards to be presented. Previous All Ireland winners are Co Sligo (2002) and Dunmurry (2003). Elm Park is the only club to have won All Ireland category awards in all three years of the scheme.
The complete list of award winners is: Club of the Year: Headfort; Junior Golf: Holywood; Environment: Elm Park; Clubhouse Presentation: Cork; Communications: Elm Park.
UBS CUP: Gary Player's Rest of the World squad grabbed a one-point lead in yesterday's opening foursomes against Arnold Palmer's US team in the UBS Cup at Kiawah Island Club's Cassique Course, South Carolina.
The Rest of the World team are looking for their first victory in the competition in four meetings.
In the opening match, Player and Ireland's Mark McNulty halved their contest with Palmer and his partner, recent Ryder Cup player Jay Haas.
UBS CUP (at Kiawah Island): US v Rest of World: Day One Foursomes (US first): A Palmer, J Haas halved with G Player, M McNulty; T Kite, R Floyd lost to C Montgomerie, B Langer 1 hole; H Irwin, F Funk bt S Torrance, B Lane 5 and 3; T Watson, S Hoch lost to I Woosnam, S Lyle 4 and 3; C Strange, C Stadler lost to J Chillas, C Mason 4 and 3; H Sutton, F Couples bt P Senior, R Davis 3 and 2. Result: US 2½ RoW 3½.
