SECOND ROUND LEADERBOARD US unless stated -8 Tiger Woods -7 Mark O'Meara -6 Jonathan Byrd, Peter Lonard (Aus), Daniel Chopra, Sergio Garcia (Spa), Jerry Kelly

The world number one's eight-under 132 at cool, blustery Cottonwood Valley, was his best start ever to the Texas event and signals a return to form.

Woods has come under severe scrutiny for a game that has produced just one victory this year.

But he said: "I've always felt comfortable when I've been leading."

Joining Woods on the first tee on Saturday will be his best friend on the PGA Tour - 47-year-old Mark O'Meara, who stands seconds after firing a round-two 66.

O'Meara has not won on the tour since the 1998 Open and is playing this year on an exemption for being in the top-25 in career money.

Even though he won earlier this year in the Dubai Desert Classic - a field that included Woods and Ernie Els - O'Meara admits: "The last two and a half years, it has been a battle of not playing well, a battle of not putting well, a battle of not being excited about being on the road.

"It would be a thrill to have a chance to win come Sunday afternoon."

World number one Woods is looking back to his best

Meanwhile, Sergio Garcia birdied three of his last four holes on the TPC at Las Colinas to salvage a 68 and was in a large group at 134 that included Peter Lonard (70), Jerry Kelly (68) and Jonathan Byrd (67).

Defending champion Vijay Singh also made a nice recovery with birdies on three of his last four holes at Cottonwood Valley.

He finished with a 67 and was at 135, only three shots out of the lead.

"I'm feeling good with the putter, which is something new for me," Singh said.

Masters champion Phil Mickelson had a couple of streaks end - he shot a two-over 72, ending his run of 21 consecutive rounds at par or better - and at one-over 141 he missed the cut for the first time this year.