Tiger Woods widens lead after two rounds of golf’s Chevron World Challenge

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Tiger Woods shot a six-under-par 66 on Friday to widen his lead in the Chevron World Challenge as pursuers Graeme McDowell and Rory McIlroy both found trouble on the finishing hole.

Woods, who opened the four-day tournament with a 65 on Thursday at the Sherwood Country Club course in Thousand Oaks, moved to 13 under par to hold a four-shot lead over McDowell and a five-shot advantage over McIlroy and Luke Donald.

‘I’m feeling very happy with the progress I’ve made,’ Woods said, even though he admitted ‘I didn’t hit the ball quite as sharp as I did yesterday.’

It was the first time this year that Woods has led after two rounds. The former No. 1-ranked golfer has been winless this season after a delayed return to tournament golf following his sensational sex scandal early this year.

Donald stormed into contention with a round of 66 but his score could have been better. After reeling off five consecutive birdies on holes 10 through 14 to reach 10 under for the tournament, Donald carded a double bogey on the par-three 17th.

McIlroy had a double bogey six on the par-four 18th hole while McDowell bogeyed the finishing hole.

Woods played a bogey-free round that included an eagle three on the par-five, 531-yard second hole after he reached the green in two shots and sank a 15-foot putt. Woods is 10 under par on Sherwood’s par-five holes through the first two rounds.

This is the 12th year of the 18-player tournament, which benefits the Tiger Woods Foundation. Woods has won the event four times.

--Jim Peltz