Beware the claws of the Tiger

AUGUSTA, Georgia – England’s Lee Westwood and Ian Poulter handled a tougher Augusta National on Friday to share the Masters lead as both chase their first major championship and attempt to hold off Tiger Woods.

Poulter, who once boasted that it would be just him and Woods when he reached his potential, made his only bogey on the 18th hole for a second straight 68. Westwood had everything from an eagle to a double bogey in his wild round of 69.

They were at 8-under 136 after two rounds – the first time either of them has been in the lead in a major.

Two shots behind was Woods, a position that has surprised just about everybody except him.

“I usually put myself in contention most of the time here,” Woods said after a 2-under 70. “And this year, I’m right there.”

If that’s not enough big-name contenders, Phil Mickelson is along for the ride.

Mickelson needed a birdie on the 18th hole to be paired with Woods, just as they were in the final round last year. His 65-foot putt banged off the back of the cup before spinning away, giving the left-handed American a 71.

Woods and Mickelson were at 138, along with K.J. Choi, Ricky Barnes and Anthony Kim, the American coming off a victory last week in the Houston Open.

Woods has captured so much attention at this Masters because of his swift and spectacular downfall from a sex scandal that kept him out of golf the last five months. He has been humbled by confessions of cheating on his wife, and one of the lingering questions was whether his personal chaos would make him seem less invincible on the golf course.

He has won the Masters all three times when going into the weekend in a tie for third or better.

Y.E. Yang, who rallied to beat Woods at the PGA Championship eight months ago, had a 72 and was at 5-under 139. (AP)