Tiger Woods grabbed the Deutsche Bank-SAP Open, TPC of Europe by the throat at St.Leon Rot, Heidelberg, by shooting a wind-defying second round 68 to open up a two stroke lead going into the final 36 holes.
The former world No.1, watched by large galleries, deserved his star billing as he swept two ahead of the field on 137, seven under par.
Woods leads from joint first round leader, Ernie Els, and the Swedish pair of Jesper Parnevik and Jarmo Sandelin, who shot 68 and 69 respectively to share the 139 mark with Els.
Els was undone by a double bogey six at the 15th hole after losing a ball in the deep rough, while Gary Orr, the other first round leader, also took a six, this time at the 18th, to slip back from the top of the leaderboard to 140, four under par.
However the second day belonged to Woods, winner of the 1997 Masters title, and the undoubted star attraction for the German public. He stormed through the field by reaching the turn in 32 thanks to some deadly putting, and birdied the 16th before making his solitary error at the 18th.
Woods, though, was pleased with his round in a tough, swirling wind, which saw the cut mark rise to 147, three over par.
He said: “The good shots which I hit today were very close and gave me the opportunity to make some putts and I was able to do that. I stayed very patient even although I hit some loose shots.
“It’s going to be a good Sunday and Monday. There is a lot of golf still to be played but I hope I can get off to a good start and make some putts.”
Els remains a massive threat for the title while Parnevik and Sandelin, who won on both sides of the Atlantic on the same day recently, are right in the hunt on 139. Parnevik displayed his quality and was quick to back Sandelin as a player who can enhance the European team if, as seems likely, he qualifies for the Ryder Cup.
Just a further stroke behind that trio is teenager Sergio Garcia, playing only his third tournament as a professional. He missed putts of eight feet and six feet at the closing two holes but was still content with a pair of 70s for 140.
Colin Montgomerie, chasing back to back titles after winning the Benson and Hedges International Open last week, is on three under after a round of 70 in the worst of the wind and is clearly a major threat to tournament leader Woods.
