BBC SPORT | Golf | Allenby breaks record

Second round scores

Robert Allenby shot a course-record 63 to take a share of the halfway lead in the World Golf Championships-NEC Invitational.

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A brilliant back nine saw the Australian finish on top of the Sahalee leaderboard alongside American Steve Lowery at 10-under.

Back pain forces Monty out

First-round leader Retief Goosen lies one shot back, with England's Justin Rose on eight under after his second successive 67.

But Tiger Woods' hopes of recording a fourth straight victory in the event were dented by a one-under 70, which left him six shots off the pace.

Allenby finished with an eagle and five birdies in his closing seven holes as he came home in just 29 strokes.

I need to get it going early and keep it going

Tiger Woods

And he said of Friday's eight-under round: "I was very comfortable with the way I was swinging it and with my putting stroke.

"The last two days I've had really good concentration and I hope I can take it into the weekend doing the same thing."

Lowery started his round in the manner Allenby finished his, with birdies on four of his first five holes.

But he missed two short par putts on the back nine and carded a 65 that equalled the previous course record.

Goosen sets early pace

Overnight leader Goosen consolidated with a 68 but his fellow pace-setter Toshi Iwaza dropped back with a 73.

And Woods admitted he needs to improve in what have been perfect playing conditions.

"It wasn't pretty," Woods said of his round.

Justin Rose shot successive 67s
Justin Rose is playing only his second US event
"You can't make too many mistakes on this golf course.

And he added: "I need to go out there and play well tomorrow, and hopefully get it going early and keep it going."

On a day when Colin Montgomerie withdrew with a back injury, it was 22-year-old Rose who led the European challenge.

He went out in 32 and was four under after 11, but could not close on the leaders over the final holes.

Lee Westwood defied a pair of sixes on his card to shoot a 69 and lie five shots back.

But Northern Ireland's Darren Clarke, a shot off the first round lead on Thursday, followed his opening 66 with a disappointing 74.

Leading second round scores (US unless stated)

132 Robert Allenby (Aus) 69 63, Steve Lowery 67 65
133 Retief Goosen (Rsa)
134 Justin Rose (Gbr) 67 67
135 Phil Mickelson 66 69
136 Loren Roberts 70 66, Fred Funk 68 68
137 Jim Furyk 70 67, Craig Parry (Aus) 72 65, David Toms 69 68, Matt Gogel 68 69, Vijay Singh (Fij) 68 69, Thomas Bjorn (Den) 68 69, Rocco Mediate 68 69, Lee Westwood (Gbr) 68 69, Kenny Perry 67 70
138 Ernie Els (Rsa) 71 67, Tiger Woods 68 70, Craig Perks (Nzl) 68 70, Chris DiMarco 68 70, Toshi Izawa (Jap)

Selected others:
139 Jose Maria Olazabal (Spa) 71 68
140 Bernhard Langer (Ger) 70 70 69 71, Nick Price (Zim) 74 66, Darren Clarke (Gbr) 66 74
141 Sergio Garcia (Spa) 68 73
142 Padraig Harrington (Ire) 72 70, Paul Lawrie (Gbr) 73 69


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