Vijay Singh fired his best round of the year to share the lead alongside England's David Howell after the second round of the Barclays Classic in New York.
The Fijian fired a seven-under-par 64 to join Howell, who carded a 68, at eight under on 134 at the Westchester Country Club. The duo have a one-shot lead over Sweden's Fredrik Jacobson at the final tournament before the US Open.
Jacobson signed for a three-under 68 to move to seven -under on 135 while Billy Andrade (70) and Joey Sindelar (68) are tied for fourth at six under.
Singh, who fired a bogey-free round with five birdies and an eagle at the par-five ninth, said: "It wasn't easy at all. I went out there and was struggling in the beginning.
"I made an eagle on the ninth and that really relaxed me and just gave me a really good mood to go out there and play relaxed golf on the back nine."
Singh was not the only player to surge up the leaderboard as Luke Donald got the better of playing partners Phil Mickelson and Chris DiMarco to move into contention.
Only 63rd after an opening one-over-par 72, Donald fired a six-under 65 to get to five under 137 alongside seven other players.
The 28-year-old Englishman started his round on the 10th and promptly birdied the hole and added two more birdies on his first nine.
He started his final nine the same way, with a birdie on the first and adding another pair of coming in.
"I think it's almost a bonus playing with good players," Donald said. "You get more crowd, more atmosphere and it makes you concentrate a bit more."
First-round leader Adam Scott was unable to build any momentum in his second round and settled for a one-over 72 to finish level with fellow Australian Geoff Ogilvy (68) at five under.
Graeme McDowell added a 68 to his opening 70 to four under at the halfway stage, while Masters champion Mickelson and DiMarco each carded their second consecutive rounds of 70 and are at two-under on 140.
Defending champion Padraig Harrington opened with a three-over 74 but shot a five-under 66 to end the day level with Mickelson and DiMarco.
But Spain's Sergio Garcia will not be around for the weekend after withdrawing after playing nine holes.
"I hurt my back on Wednesday practising and playing in the pro-am and struggled with it the last two days," Garcia revealed. "I hope to rest and be at or near 100 per cent next week at the US Open."
