Tiger lurks one behind Appleby

Source: Agencies  |   2008-6-15  |     NEWSPAPER EDITION

STUART Appleby rolled in a 40-foot birdie putt at the last to seize the second round lead at the US Open in San Diego, California, on Friday, while Tiger Woods enjoyed a closing birdie binge to end the day a shot adrift.

Australian Appleby overcame back-to-back bogeys at 11 and 12 to post a 70 for a three-under-par 139 total at Torrey Pines.

"The bomb at 18 was a sweet taste at the end," Appleby, seeking his first major title, told reporters.

Woods joined compatriot Rocco Mediate and Sweden's Robert Karlsson at two-under with a spectacular charge after an opening nine that included four bogeys and an eagle.

"I made some putts," said the world No. 1, who had five birdies over the last nine holes for a three-under 68. "They weren't exactly tap-ins."

Woods, playing his first tournament in eight weeks since having surgery on his left knee, made three 20-footers and a curving 15-footer for birdies in his first five holes after the turn.

He capped off the charge with a birdie at the ninth, his last hole of the round.

"I'm a little sore right now, but I'll be good to go tomorrow," said Woods, who was seven shots behind then-leader Mediate when he turned for home.

One more shot off the pace at one-under were Miguel Angel Jimenez, with a 66, Briton Lee Westwood (71), and Americans Davis Love III (69) and D.J. Trahan (69).

Like Mediate, Karlsson, Westwood and Trahan, Jimenez is also aiming for his first major championship victory.

"It's very important," the Spaniard said. "This is my 26th year on the tour, and I'm 44. I would love to have one for my career."

Eighty players made the cut, set at seven-over-par 149.

Among those eliminated from weekend play were Briton Justin Rose (79-72) and K.J. Choi of South Korea (74-77) on 151, holder Angel Cabrera of Argentina (79-76) on 155, and Briton Colin Montgomerie at 156 (79-77).