R2 LEADERBOARD US unless stated -9 Chris Couch -8 Tim Herron, Jim Furyk, Duffy Waldorf -7 Ben Curtis -6 Todd Fischer, Steve Flesch Selected others: -3 Tiger Woods Level Luke Donald (Eng), Vijay Singh (Fij)

Couch, who has two wins on the Nationwide Tour this season, edged to nine under ahead of compatriots Tim Herron, Jim Furyk and Duffy Waldorf.

Former Open champion Ben Curtis was one back after a 71, while world number one Tiger Woods (66) was six shots back.

England's Luke Donald and Fiji's Vijay Singh both made the cut on the mark.

Donald carded a round of 72 for level par overall alongside, among others, world number two Singh (70).

Couch has spent his entire 10-year career bouncing between golf's minor leagues and the PGA Tour, but a rich vein of form has already guaranteed his Tour card for next season.

He began Friday's round with nine straight pars before picking up four shots after the turn.

"It's still a long tournament, I'm trying not to think too far ahead," said Couch. "I'm going to take it shot by shot and keep trying to have some fun.

"I got off to a pretty good start today with nine straight pars, hit it good all the way around the front, had some pars that lipped out on me and got it going on 10."

Woods, making his first start since finishing second to Michael Campbell at the US Open two weeks ago, moved into contention for a fourth Western title, mixing five birdies an eagle and two bogeys.

"I played a little bit better today but more importantly I putted better," said Woods.

"It's going to be hard to shoot a low one in the afternoon.

"Hopefully, they won't run away from me, and I can go ahead and play a good round tomorrow and get myself back in it."