Deutsche Bank Championship

Woods comes back to the fore with a timely 65

ESPN staff

September 4, 2010 « Hardy's the toughest opponent I've faced - Condit | ESPN FA Cup Promo »

Tiger Woods was far more composed during his second round © Getty Images

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Tiger Woods struck a perfectly-timed 65 at the Deutsche Bank Championship to get his US PGA Tour playoff bid back on track.

Needing a strong second round to avoid playoff elimination, the 14-time Major winner showed his quality to card a six-under-par round - which should see him advance to the third playoff event, barring any catastrophes on his final two rounds.

Woods was three shots below the projected cut going into the second round, but his front nine would have eased his worries. Birdies at the second, fourth, sixth and seventh saw him reach the turn in 32 and he picked up two more shots coming home, including a birdie at the par-five 18th, to leave him seven shots behind Brandt Snedeker.

"I had to shoot a good one if I was going to move on, and I was able to do that today," said Woods. "I just felt better. I just felt more energetic and ready to go."

Snedeker took up his position at the top of the leaderboard following a sparkling seven-under 64. Luke Donald, one of Colin Montgomerie's three picks for the European Team for the Ryder Cup, is two shots adrift after shooting a 67.

Matt Kuchar, who won The Barclays last week, is lurking ominously on 11-under-par after signing off with a 65. The American holed some beautiful putts and, despite dropping a shot on the way in, he remains well placed to launch an assault over the next couple of days.

Phil Mickelson struck a 65 to sit on eight-under alongside a group that includes Stewart Cink - who is desperately trying to impress Corey Pavin to force his way into his Ryder Cup plans.

The ugly side of Rory McIlroy's golf returned as he spoiled his first round performance with an error-strewn 76. Four bogeys and one double bogey was more than enough to show that the Northern Irishman is far from the finished article.