Dubai – Tiger Woods produced his best round of the year to date at the Dubai Desert Classic on Friday to jump into contention for a first title in 15 months.
The 35-year-old American carded a second round six-under par 66 and at the halfway stage he was seven under and poised to mount a challenge at the weekend in the European Tour event.
Playing alongside the two men ahead him in the rankings, Lee Westwood and Martin Kaymer, the world No 3 looked comfortable and relaxed as he took advantage of perfect morning playing conditions to roll in six birdies, all from within fairly comfortable putting range.
His score bettered the two three-under 69s he returned two weeks ago in the first two rounds at Torrey Pines in California when he opened his year with a disappointing tie for 44th place in the USPGA Tour event.
Woods opted to continue his build-up to April's Masters, when he will aim to bag a 15th major title, in Dubai where he has won twice before in 2006 and 2008.
He struggled with his remodelled swing for most of Thursday's opening round before closing it out in style with an eagle three at the last.
And carrying that momentum into Friday, when he started at the 10th, Woods had early birdies at the 12th and 13th and then grabbed another at the 18th to go out in three under 34.
More birdies followed at the second and fourth as he moved ahead of Kaymer and closed in on Westwood who are battling it out between them here for the world number one ranking.
A sixth birdie at the sixth then put him briefly joint top of the leaderboard at seven under and he parred his way in from there to complete a morale-boosting round of golf.
Westwood had a 70 and was two back from Woods on five under. Kaymer had a 71 and is at four under.
Woods will sit back and watch Friday's afternoon's developments with first round leader Rory McIlroy setting out at seven under after an opening 65. He enjoyed a two stroke lead over the field overnight.
Others to make a move early Friday were French Davis Cup star Thomas Levet who had a 68 to get to four under, Scotland's Richie Ramsey who had a 69 to also get to four under and Peter Hanson of Sweden with a 69 for six under.
Out on the course South Africa's Thomas Aiken, lying second overnight, was the only player to move ahead of McIlroy as he got to eight under for the tournament through 14 holes. – Sapa-AFP