Woods charges to course record 64

Adjust font size:

SHANGHAI, China -- Tiger Woods charged ominously into contention at the halfway stage of the HSBC Champions tournament in Shanghai with a course record-equaling eight-under-par 64 in the second round on Friday.

Woods, who toiled to a level par 72 on the first day, carded seven birdies and an eagle to close to within two shots of leader Jyoti Randhawa of India.

Randhawa followed his opening 65 with a 69 to total 134 -- ten-under-par -- with South Africa's Retief Goosen one shot behind.

Woods shares joint third position with former U.S. Open champion Michael Campbell of New Zealand.

Newly crowned European number one Padraig Harrington is in the group on seven-under with Scot Marc Warren and Chalawit Plaphol of Thailand.

World number two Jim Furyk of the United States and Ryder Cup stars Colin Montgomerie and Luke Donald are in a large group at five-under-par.

Woods admitted to being "very frustrated" by his opening effort following a five-week holiday, but he bounced back with brilliant tee-to-green striking at the Sheshen International Course.

The only blot on his card was a three-putt bogey on the 13th and he missed a host of other birdie opportunities that might have seen him break the magical '60' mark.

"I missed a few actually, it's kind of scary when you shoot an eight-under-par, but I did miss a few out there," said the American.

Sweden's Henrik Stenson also shot a 64 earlier on Friday to briefly claim the course record for his own, but he is trailing after an opening round of 76.

Briton David Howell, who held off Woods to win the corresponding event last year, finished at one-over at halffway after a topsy-turvy par-round featuring a double bogey, three other dropped shots and five birdies.

With a field of only 74 players, there will be no cut, which is good news for Zhang Lianwei, who remains the top Chinese player on four over.

The $5 million tournament, dubbed the "Asian Masters", is the region's richest tournament and this year has attracted 10 of the world's top 20 players.

It is the official start of the 2007 European tour, and is co-sanctioned with the Asian, Australasian and South African tours.

Get up-to-the minute news from CNN CNN.com gives you the latest stories and video from the around the world, with in-depth coverage of U.S. news, politics, entertainment, health, crime, tech and more.

---

• Enke's widow - Robert had depression
• When actresses turn ugly...
• Sniper execution met with grief, bitterness
• Veteran rages against post-army treatment
• LHC resumes 'God particle' hunt

• Irish PM to quit over payments scandal
• NATO chief: Afghan troop increase likely
• Militants hunted as calm retuns to Basra
• Pressure on Bush to skip Olympics
• BA sending misplaced T5 baggage to Milan

• Recruiting suicide bombers (2:50)
• London was lucky (2:36)
• Cars in London rigged as bombs (3:48)
• Second explosives-packed car foun (2:32)
• Soviet culture returns (3:47)