SECOND ROUND LEADERBOARD -9 MA Jiminez (Spa) -8 I Garrido (Spa), D McGrane (GB), T Price (Aus) -7 P Lawrie (Ire), I Woosnam (GB) Latest golf results

The Welshman admitted feeling "old and knackered" after his opening 71, but birdied eight holes on Friday.

"This is a confidence-boost for the Masters next week because I needed to play four rounds," said Woosnam, 46.

Jimenez also shot a 66 to lead on nine-under. Ignacio Garrido, Damien McGrane and Terry Price are one stroke behind.

Woosnam lies another shot back, level with first round leader Peter Lawrie of Ireland.

The 1991 Masters winner said: "Something clicked today by about the 12th.

"I have to get the right strike on the ball and I fiddle around all the time. Today I lost it for a while, changed something and it worked."

Woosnam, who has his eye on Ryder Cup qualification after being overlooked for the 2004 European captaincy, added: "I want to get up that Order of Merit and get some confidence going."

Leader Jimenez will not be joining Woosnam in Augusta after his disqualification from the Qatar Masters last month.

"It's very sad for me," said the Spaniard, who was ninth in the Masters in 2002 and 10th the year before.

Jiminez is aiming to make up for his error

"It cost me a place in the Players Championship and the Masters.

"I was only five behind the leader and wanted to finish as high as possible to make up the three places in the world rankings I needed."

Jimenez was eliminated for signing for a wrong score just before he was due to tee off in the final round in Doha.

"It is history now," he added. "You have to live for the moment and put it all behind you."

However, a ninth European Tour title on Sunday would take Jimenez past one million Ryder Cup points.

That would all but assure him of a place in Bernhard Langer's side when Europe defend the trophy in Michigan in September.