• Arnold Palmer Invitational, Round Two

Tiger roars into lead at Bay Hill

Tiger Woods looked in imperious form on Friday © PA Photos

Enlarge

Related Links

• News: G-Mac admits hitting 'rock bottom' in 2011
  
• News: Woods feels at home in winning position
  
• News: Round One: Tiger allays fears with strong showing
  
• Profile: Graeme McDowell | Tiger Woods

Leaderboard

Tiger Woods fired a warning to his rivals ahead of next month's Masters as he stormed into the lead at the Arnold Palmer Invitational in Florida.

The former world No. 1, who was a doubt for the first major of the year after suffering an Achilles injury a fortnight ago, showed no signs of impediment as he fired a second round 65 to remain firmly on course for a seventh title at Bay Hill.

After narrowly avoiding the water at the 16th, Woods two-putted from 52 feet to move level with Jason Dufner and Graeme McDowell on nine-under.

The 14-time major champion then drained a 15-foot putt for birdie to take the outright lead, although he was later joined on ten-under by Charlie Wi, with the pair one stroke clear of Dufner (69) and McDowell, who matched his lowest score on the PGA Tour with a second round 63.

The Ulsterman, who has struggled for consistency since his win at Pebble Beach in 2010, believes he is getting back to his best after a stunning round featuring seven birdies and an eagle.

"I'm playing the next three weeks now and I'm mentally and physically fresher than I've been for a long time," McDowell said. "It's nice to be kind of back under the radar I suppose a little bit.

"This time last year I was certainly in the limelight and that takes a little bit of getting used to for a guy who has never really had to do that before. You have to get back into the state of mind that I was in in 2010."

Justin Rose remains in contention to claim his second victory of 2012 as he signed for a 69 to sit four shots off the pace. Rose, who triumphed at the WGC-Cadillac Championship earlier this month, hit four successive birdies on the front nine, but his momentum was checked by back-to-back bogeys. After reaching the turn in 34, a single birdie at the 16th was the only colour in his card for the back nine as he moved to six-under.

Rose is one stroke clear of Sergio Garcia (67), Bubba Watson (70) and Vijay Singh (68) on five-under, while Ian Poulter showed signs of a return to form as he moved to four-under after his round of 69.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.