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Impressive display has Woods in three-way tie for the lead after 36 holes 

he hunt: Tiger Woods is in a share of the US Open lead with Jim Furyk and David Toms

Tiger Woods remains on-course to win his 15th major title after a level-par 70 in his second round put him into a three-way tie for the US Open at the Olympic Club.

Three birdies and three bogeys combined to keep Woods on one-under-par for the tournament and sharing pole position with his fellow countrymen Jim Furyk and David Toms.

The trio are the only players in the tournament currently in red figures after a tremendously difficult second day saw some high scores posted and several big names crash out of the tournament.

The top top-ranked players on the world rankings – Luke Donald and Rory McIlroy – were amongst the high-profile players to miss the cut, which finally fell at nine-over-par.

However, there were no such worries for Woods who produced one of his finest ball-striking displays in several years to keep up his hopes of a first major title since the US Open in 2008.

After his round, he declared himself satisfied with his day’s work. “It was really, really tough and I just had to stay as patient as possible,” said the former world No.1 who has gone on to win on eight of the nine times he has held or shared the 36-hole lead in a major.

“I think I’m in a good spot. This tournament, you just keep plodding along.”

Woods will tee off in the third round in the final group alongside Furyk, who won his only major to date in the 2003 US Open at Olympia Fields. A 69 in round two edged the 42-year-old into a share of the lead and he says that, if he is to bag the title for the second time, he will need to stay patient as much as anything else.

“I guess you have to realise at the US Open that par is a really good score and you’re going to make some bogeys,” said Furyk.

“Mentally you have to be in a good frame of mind, and physically you have to be on top of a lot of areas of your game.”

Like Furyk, Toms is looking for his second major – he won the US PGA in 2001 – and a second round 70 to go with his opening 69 has put him bang in contention to do so.

“I knew not to get frustrated and keep grinding,” he said. “You have to be mentally ready for anything and never give up.”

Toms will partner young compatriot John Peterson in round three. The American, who was controversially overlooked for the USA’s Walker Cup side last year, came through qualifying to play in his first major and has taken to the stage nicely, with rounds of 71 and 70 putting him one-over-par at halfway, the same mark as first round leader Michael Thompson and Europe’s leading hopes, Graeme McDowell and Nicolas Colsaerts.

The big story on day two, however, was the performance of 17-year-old Beau Hossler. Playing in the US Open for the second straight year, the Californian at one stage held the outright lead, as several of the expected challengers fell by the wayside.

Five dropped shots in his last five holes stunted his challenge somewhat but he will start round three only four shots back on three-over-par. He will play alongside Frenchman Raphael Jacquelin.

Another qualifier to impress so far is Scotland’s Marc Warren. Playing in his first ever major, the Glasgow man is currently five-over-par – just six shots off the lead – after rounds of 73 and 72. He is joined on that mark by the likes of Padraig Harrington, Lee Westwood, Martin Kaymer and Ian Poulter.

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Bryce Ritchie is the Editor of bunkered and, in addition to leading on content and strategy, oversees all aspects of the brand. The first full-time journalist employed by bunkered, he joined the company in 2001 and has been editor since 2009. A member of Balfron Golfing Society, he currently plays off nine and once got a lesson from Justin Thomas’ dad.

Editor of bunkered

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