• WGC-HSBC Champions - Round Two

Westwood looking good as Woods snaps

Lee Westwood picked up two late birdies © Getty Images

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Leaderboard

Lee Westwood continued to look completely at ease with his status as golf's world No. 1, remaining one shot behind leader Francesco Molinari at the climax to round two of the WGC-HSBC Champions in Shanghai.

Westwood began Friday's play in second place and, after suffering a small dip in form following the turn, he picked up two late birdies to move to eight-under for the tournament. Molinari, who has now led after both of the opening two rounds, remains just a single stroke ahead of the Englishman on nine-under.

The eighth hole saw Westwood pick up his first shot of the day but, by 11, he was back to even par. The odd stretch of the troublesome calf showed Westwood still was not at 100 percent fitness, but he found two more birdies before finishing with a par at the 18th for a round of 70.

A hugely animated Tiger Woods stomped around the Sheshen International Golf Club, mixing frustration with brilliance to finish five shots off the pace. Crucially, that keeps him a distance behind Westwood as he attempts to reclaim his position at the top of world golf.

Woods was threatening to snap his clubs from the opening hole of the day following a lazy approach, but he was all smiles at the second as he sunk one from the fringe of the green to get back on track. However, by 18th the trademark Woods sulk was back as he drove into rough, eventually signing for an even-par 72.

Phil Mickelson and Martin Kaymer, the other two players capable of dethroning Westwood, are both still in the mix, after Mickelson answered two late bogeys with a birdie at the 18th to join Woods on four-under, while Kaymer finished one stroke further back on three-under. That represents a significant improvement for the German, who began the day on even par.

The main challengers to Molinari's place at the top of the leaderboard, aside from Westwood, appear to be a clutch of three players on seven-under. Jaco Van Zyl and Richie Ramsey have both given themselves a chance, while Ernie Else shot the round of the day to card a seven-under 63.

England's Luke Donald is also in contention on six-under after a steady 70.

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