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Yang claims lead in Tiger's tournament

Y.E. Yang made a big splash on the PGA Tour this year, winning the Honda Classic and the PGA Championship.
Y.E. Yang made a big splash on the PGA Tour this year, winning the Honda Classic and the PGA Championship.
STORY HIGHLIGHTS
  • Y.E. Yang takes a two-shot lead at halfway stage of Chevron World Challenge
  • Korean golfer cards seven-under-par 65 in tournament usually hosted by Tiger Woods
  • Three-time major winner Padraig Harrington tied for second with Ian Poulter and Kenny Perry
  • Retief Goosen takes a two-shot lead into the final round of the Nedbank Challenge

(CNN) -- Korean golfer Y.E. Yang continued his superb year as he took a two-shot lead at the halfway stage of the Chevron World Challenge in California on Friday.

Yang, who stunned the golfing world by beating Tiger Woods to win the U.S. PGA Championship, shot a seven-under-par 65 at Sherwood Country Club to head the tournament that the world No. 1 usually hosts.

The American, however, is absent again this year following the controversy that has followed his car crash near his Florida home and the ensuing allegations about his private life.

Three-time major winner Padraig Harrington was tied for second on seven-under 137 along with England's Ian Poulter and veteran American Kenny Perry.

The Irishman carded 68, one better than Poulter, while Perry matched Yang's effort as he surged up the leaderboard of the 18-man event.

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European Tour money list winner Lee Westwood was tied for fifth on six-under along with American Sean O'Hair, with both players carding 67, and former Masters champion Zach Johnson.

Johnson, who shared the first-round lead with Poulter, followed up his opening 68 with a 70.

Irishman Graeme McDowell, the late replacement for Woods, shot 69 to climb up to eighth place on four-under.

Meanwhile, Retief Goosen will take a two-shot lead into Sunday's final round of the Nedbank Challenge in his native South Africa.

Goosen's third-round 67 on Saturday put him on 12 under par, with Australia's Robert Allenby and Masters champion Angel Cabrera his closest challengers after both shot 68.

Rory McIlroy, who finished second behind Westwood in the Race To Dubai standings, withdrew from the 12-man line-up before the start of his third round due to the stomach illness that has plagued him all week.