TIGER WOODS SEIZED the US Open lead on Friday, a birdie at The Olympic Club’s third hole vaulting him past fast-fading overnight leader Michael Thompson as well as clubhouse leader Jim Furyk.
Woods started the day sharing second place on one-under par, three strokes behind little-known Thompson.
His birdie at the third put him one ahead of Thompson, who teed off on the ninth hole and gave up three strokes in the space of two holes — with a bogey at 11 and a double-bogey at 12.
Furyk, meanwhile, fashioned his one-under 69 in the morning, when the par-70 Lake Course nestled on a hillside between the Pacific Ocean and Lake Merced was already firm and fast.
Furyk, winner of the US Open at Olympia Fields in 2003, had a 36-hole total of 139.
“I kept the ball in the fairway pretty well,” Furyk said. “I feel in solid control so far.”
Two players were at even par on the course — impressive amateur Beau Hossler and 2001 USPGA Champion David Toms, who started the day in the group sharing second at one-under.
Northern Ireland’s Graeme McDowell, who won the 2010 US Open at nearby Pebble Beach, was pleased overall to find himself at one-over for the tournament after a two-over 72.
McDowell regretted three bogeys in his last four holes, but given the conditions thought his position would be fine heading into the weekend.
McDowell was joined in the clubhouse on 141 by Belgian Nicolas Colsaerts, who posted a 69, and John Peterson, who carded a 70.
World number one Luke Donald and defending champion Rory McIlroy appeared destined to miss the cut, Donald with a two-round total of 151 and McIlroy on 150.
On the course, four-time major champion Phil Mickelson and Masters champion Bubba Watson were trying to rebound from disastrous opening rounds, hoping to do enough to make a halfway cut that was to incude the top 60 players and ties.