• AT&T National, Round Two

Rose leads the way as Tiger sneaks in

Tiger Woods had a frustrating day in Pennsylvania © Getty Images

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Justin Rose produced a sparkling round of 64 to take control of the AT&T National, as Tiger Woods scraped in for the weekend by the narrowest margin.

Rose has been in fine form this year, ending his long winless run at the Memorial, but blew a winning chance last week. The setback at the Travelers Championship clearly did not prey on his mind, as the Englishman produced some stunning golf - hitting 79% of fairways and needing just 26 putts.

Rose came into event not guaranteed a place at the Open, but provided he does not suffer a major catastrophe over the closing 36 holes he will be at St Andrews. And if he shows the sort of form that brought him six birdies, including a stunning two at the 17th, he will be a major contender.

Tiger Woods fired a level-par 70 and faces an anxious wait to see if he will make the cut at the AT&T National.

The world No. 1 paid the price for some inconsistent play, as he hit a smattering of birdies and bogeys and sits on the cut line.

Woods started well, making birdies at his second and fourth, but some of the good work was undone by a bogey on three.

His back nine started poorly on account of a bogey at his 10th, but he threatened to make a charge when draining a 30-foot putt for his second birdie in as many holes on 13. However, he gave shots back at 14 and 17 to sit on three-over after 36 holes.

Woods had a frustrating time on the greens, as on a number of occasions he missed makeable putts.

"It is something I have got to work on," he said. "I like to release the blade but am not doing that at the moment.

"It is harder to fix a bad driver. If you are hitting it awful, it is harder to put it back together.

"It is frustrating because I have been driving it on a string, but it does not matter how good you hit it - if you can't make any putts you won't make a score."

Jason Day drained a couple of birdies on the quick afternoon greens to sign for a 68 which leaves him well placed on six-under - level with Charlie Wi.

Jeff Overton was a big mover on Friday, as three birdies helped him card a 68 to move on to four-under.

Overton is happy with his position, as he feels the conditions will only get tougher. "I think it can do nothing but get harder," Overton said. "The temperature is just perfect to kind of let [the greens] get a little bit hard.

"A lot of times we play these courses and they're so wet, you miss the green and you don't really get the chance to kind of use your imagination and run the ball up on the green"

Ryan Moore, Bo Van Pelt and Robert Allenby are well placed to throw down challenges at the weekend as they sit on three-under after completing their second rounds early in the day.

Greg Owen and Brian Davis will not be around for the weekend, after finishing on four-over and nine-over respectively. Owen will be particularly disappointed as he followed an opening 69 with a 75.

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