Woods aiming for glory

Tiger Woods: Leading again

Tiger Woods is in a strong position to retain his USPGA title as he goes into the third round on Saturday with a one-shot lead.

The world number one is on course for his third Major in a row and currently holds a one shot lead over fellow American and surprise front runner Scott Dunlap, who has the daunting prospect of being paired with Woods after Saturday's cut is made.

A superb round of golf on Friday put the 24-year-old in a commanding position after the second day.

There was just one bogey from Woods during his round of 67 - it came on the 17th hole with an uncharacteristic three putt, but he quickly recaptured the dropped shot with a birdie at the par five 18th.

A birdie had looked unlikely after he found a bunker with his second shot, but after blasting out of the trap, he holed a 15ft putt for the outright lead.

Record

Legends together - Woods and Jack Nicklaus

His two round aggregate of 11 under par ties the record for the best score after 36 holes at this event and he is well within range of the 17 under par record set for 72 holes by Steve Elkington and Britain's Colin Montgomerie in 1995.

It was perhaps fitting that on this day, when Woods once again underlined his superiority over the rest of the golfing elite, that he should be partnered by the last truly dominant golfer, Jack Nicklaus.

The ageing legend will not be present for the rest of the tournament after posting a four over par total for the two rounds. But he matched Woods during the final holes, almost making eagle at the 18th before closing with a birdie which gave him a very respectable second round 71.

The mutual respect between the two was clear as both players left the final green, with many spectators believeing they had finally witnessed the passing of the torch from one great to another.

Dunlap

Scott Dunlap: Another solid round from the American

Someone who might have something to say about that at this tournament is Dunlap, a well-travelled veteran of the South African Tour, Canadian Tour, European Tour and South American Tour, who also birdied the 18th for his fifth birdie of the day against a lone bogey as he posted a four-under 68.

Davis Love, the 1997 PGA champion, finished with two bogeys to drop to seven under. He remains the most potent threat to Woods retaining the title, given his pedigree in Major tournaments.

Also on seven under are fellow Americans JP Hayes and Fred Funk

The top European is Thomas Bjorn of Denmark, who lies on four under after a second round of 68. South Africa's Ernie Els, who has finished second in all three of this year's major championships, improved on his disappointing first round of 74 with a 68.

Davis Love III: Faltered at the final two holes

Earlier the start of the second round was delayed because the Valhalla course in Kentucky was sodden after more than three inches of rain fell during the night.

A tree was uprooted at the 10th hole and debris littered the course.

Early casualties on Friday were Tom Lehman, the 1996 Open champion, and Rocco Mediate, winner of last week's PGA Tour event in Michigan.