Tiger ties Watney with 67

SHANGHAI – Tiger Woods birdied five of his last 10 holes for another 5-under 67, giving him a share of the 36-hole lead with fellow American Nick Watney at the HSBC Champions.

Seven of the top nine players on the leaderboard at the final World Golf Championship of the year are from the United States. The possibility of another No. 1 vs. No. 2 showdown looms with Phil Mickelson making three birdies over the last four holes for a 66 to finish one shot behind.

Woods has been runner-up twice at the HSBC Champions, and he put himself in contention again at Sheshan International. After consecutive holes of failing to make birdie with a wedge in his hand, he knocked in a 10-foot birdie on the ninth and was on his way.

“I certainly had some looks and didn’t really capitalize on anything,” Woods said. “Made a putt on 9 and from then on, I hit a lot of good putts and basically played the last 10 holes at 5 under.”

He reached the par-5 18th in two for one last birdie to catch Watney (70) at 10-under 134.

They were one shot clear of Mickelson, Ryan Moore (69) and Alvaro Quiros of Spain, who chose to lay up on the 18th instead of hitting 4-iron to the green because the putting surfaces were firm and quick. He had to settle for a par and a 66.

Another shot behind was Anthony Kim, who made eagle on the 18th for a 69, while yet another American, Pat Perez, made a bogey on his final hole for a 69 that put him at 7-under 137.

Perez said he is working on some swing adjustments and not really paying attention to his score, so while he is in contention for the first time in a World Golf Championship, he is not particularly sure how he got there.      (AP)