Tiger shows his teeth again as Irish duo make their mark

Trees formed a costly barrier for two Irish challengers, who got on the wrong side of them at the 18th hole at Firestone yesterday. It meant that Darren Clarke and Padraig Harrington were tied fourth rather than second behind leader Jim Furyk at the half way stage of the $5 million WGC/NEC Invitational.

So, second place remained the preserve of Tiger Woods and would-be arch rival Phil Mickelson. And despite his lack of success, Mickelson will not be lacking in confidence, judging by his assertion last night: "I don't know who's played better than me throughout this year. I really don't". Interestingly, in further questioning about his own prospects of capturing Player Of The Year Award, the left hander never mentioned Woods by name, whereas the world No 1 seemed to have no difficulties in talking about "Phil" while adding "I think I've had a pretty good year." As it happens, Mickelson plays with Furyk in the third round today, when Clarke and Harrington will be together as the third-last pair.

Meanwhile, it was a difficult day for McGinley, who shot a 73 to slip back to one over par for the tournament. Ironically, an eight iron of 162 yards to within two feet of the 18th pin, gave him a closing birdie which would have been invaluable to his two compatriots.

Furyk's driving was not particularly long but admirably straight, en route to a 66 which contained five birdies. "It was a real solid day", he said afterwards. "There are some holes out there where you have to be patient and I tried to be aggressive without doing anything stupid". Mickelson would have other views on the matter, but one suspects Furyk will be keeping a close eye on the progress of Woods over the remaining 36 holes. In all the talk earlier this week about food poisoning and weight loss, it was easy to overlook that prior to the ailment, Woods was a 25 year old athlete in superb physical condition.

Clarke was predictably hot and bothered after dropping a stroke at the last for a 68, especially since he had led the tournament briefly, on seven under par, after a third successive birdie on the sixth. His problem on the 18th was that he pulled his drive behind a line of trees on the left.

He then hit a recovery into the grandstand and after a free drop, chipped weakly to 15 feet short of the target. "I was playing very nicely until the turn, but I lost it a bit on back nine", he said afterwards. "Though I'm happy enough with my position, I've got to play better over the weekend". Three putts on the long second meant a birdie chance squandered, but he recovered to sink putts of 25 feet and 15 feet for birdies at the fourth and fifth. Then came a majestic eight iron to within nine inches of the sixth pin, which happened to coincide with a bogey by Furyk at the fourth.

As one might expect with a 66, Harrington's play overall was more impressive, especially his approach irons on the homeward journey. One under par for the round after 12 holes, those irons allowed him to birdie four of the next five, where he was left with three putts from inside three feet and only one from 10.

Given such splendid play, his disappointment about the last five 3was understandable. From a pulled drive, he managed to get the ball to the front fringe in tow. Recent lack of confidence with his chipping, however, was reflected in a duffed effort which came up 18 feet short of the hole.

"I played steadily all day and I'm very pleased with my score," he said afterwards. "My putting was a lot better, but nothing much happened until I came to the 13th, where the first of four birdies turned a potentially average score into a good one." Meanwhile it was here at Firestone three years ago that Stuart Appleby first talked publicly about the tragic death of his wife, Renay, a month previously. "I guess I wonder where the time went," said the Australian, whose emotional rehabilitation was evident in a stunning, best-of-the-day 64 which contained eight birdies, the last of them at the 17th and 18th.