Woods is still in the hunt for a third US Open title

The world number one, chasing his 13th major title, carded six bogeys and two birdies to end on five over, five shots behind leader Angel Cabrera at Oakmont.

"It was playing really hard out there," said Woods, the two-time champion.

"I felt like today's round could have gotten away a little bit but I didn't make any doubles."

Interview: Tiger Woods

606: DEBATE One of Tiger's greatest assets is that he so often turn an ugly round into a 71 or 72 where in anybody else's hands it would be a high 70s or low 80s David

The slick Oakmont greens were made more treacherous by a drying sun and fresh breeze and all but two of the 156-man field went backwards, save for Paul Casey who fired a four-under 66 and Stephen Ames who carded 69.

"The greens got really quick and it was hard to try to place the ball under the hole," added Woods.

"It was a lot more difficult than yesterday and the wind was changing directions ever so slightly, so you had to be aware of that.

"Unfortunately I had a three-putt on 15 but other than that I hung in there really well today."

Woods, the US Open champion at Pebble Beach in 2000 and at Bethpage Black in 2002, is steeling himself for a severe mental test over the last two rounds.

This is the US Open, it's going to be tough and you've got to grind away - that's the fun part of it Tiger Woods

"I've won this championship before and you have to be patient," the 31-year-old American said.

"Good shots are not going to be totally rewarded and bad shots are going to be penalised. You know that and that's the way it should be.

"If they don't water the golf course, it's going to be a lot more difficult tomorrow. It's going to be a test for all us.

"This is the US Open, it's going to be tough and you've got to grind away.

"That's the fun part of it, it's so different than any other tournament we play in."