Lewis punches the air after a birdie putt at the 10th

South African Retief Goosen and Americans Mark Brooks and JL Lewis are leading the way at half-way, on four-under.

Spain's Sergio Garcia was delighted to shoot two under, and he shared fourth place with American Stewart Cink.

And behind them lurks a dangerous group of four players on one-under par, including the second and third best players in the world, Phil Mickelson and David Duval.

Darren Clarke made the cut on Saturday morning, despite taking an eight in semi-darkness on the previous evening.

The Northern Ireland golfer made two birdies when he resumed his round on five-over par - and he overcame the hiccup of a bogey at the last to secure his place for the remainder of the event.

But Clarke's best friend on the tour, Lee Westwood, tumbled out on 11-over par.

Goosen had led after the first round

Colin Montgomerie, at one over, was the only British or Irish player in touch with the lead.

European Tour member Goosen set the target at five under with scores of 66 and 70.

Lewis, a 40-year-old with just one US Tour victory to his name, had successive 68s, while Brooks mounted his charge in the afternoon as the sun started to dry out the Southern Hills course.

He was six-under for the round after a mere 11 holes, but had to be content with parring the remaining seven.

But as ever, it was Woods who took centre stage - albeit cast in the unfamiliar role of struggling outsider.

Duval was in touch with the leaders

After 11 holes of his second round, the multiple Major-winner stood six over and joint 102nd of the 155 players.

Then came birdie putts of 25ft and 10ft on the next two greens, but he bogeyed the 16th.

Three double bogeys in a nightmare four-hole stretch in the morning sent Nick Faldo tumbling after he resumed on level par.

Faldo messed up the ninth, 10th and 12th, finished with a 76 and just made the cut at six-over, after missing a five-foot birdie chance on the last.