Champions tournament: World number one Tiger Woods has given his backing to new USA Ryder Cup captain Paul Azinger.

The 1993 USPGA champion is a veteran of the tournament having played four and was always likely to replace Tom Lehmann for the 2008 event at Valhalla, Louisville, Kentucky.

"Paul will be fun," Woods said. "He's fiery and he loves it and I think he will do very well as the captain.

"I think we'll all have a great time with him."

The 46-year-old made his mark straight away by asking for, and getting, four wild cards rather than two when coming to select his team.

And Woods added: "I think they (wildcards) are great. You want the best team and I think the more picks you can get the better it is."

Meanwhile, Woods has hailed the development of golf in China as he fired himself into contention with an eight-under 64 in the second round of the HSBC Champions in Shanghai.

After finishing runner-up to David Howell at the Sheshan International Golf Club last year, Woods is in with a good chance of victory despite a disappointing opening day.

"I think if you look at just the overall field this week, it's pretty impressive," he said. "The changes they made to the golf course have been tremendous from last year to this year.

"Again, the fans have come out and supported this event and it's great to see the game of golf growing here in China.

"It's made tremendous leaps and bounds over the past few years and I'm sure over the next decade it will be amazing to see what happens."

Woods' score equalled that set earlier in the day by Sweden's Henrik Stenson but his impressive form at the Sheshan International Golf Club was not the only action of note.

Little-known Indian Jyoti Randhawa continued to make a name for himself as he maintained his opening-round form to retain the lead while one shot behind him is tournament debutant Retief Goosen, who is keen to follow up his victory at the China Masters last month.

It means the trio will now be grouped together today and the South African is relishing the chance to do battle with Woods.

"Tiger played himself right back into the tournament with a very good round at eight under par," he said.

"We always knew he was going to be the guy to beat this week and you're going to have to play well to stay ahead of him."

Woods, however, still felt he could have carded better, despite having recovered from a seven-shot deficit from the opening round to move to two shots off Randhawa. He said: "It's kind of scary to say when you shoot eight under par but I did miss a few out there.

"It was a really nice day actually to put together a number like this to get myself back in the tournament.

"I feel like I made some improvements from Thursday and hit the ball pretty clean. I gave myself some really makeable putts which I didn't do Thursday. Hopefully, I can do the same again on the weekend and make many birdies because that's what you're going to have to do to win this tournament. I'm only two back right now with 36 holes to go, so I'm in good shape."

Order of Merit winner Padraig Harrington carded a second-round 70 and was three shots off the lead.

"It's not too bad being three shots behind," he said.

"I played a bit better but couldn't get the putts to drop. Maybe I'm saving them for the weekend. I wished I could have picked up a few more shots but I don't have the choice now. I played my game well and it would have been nice to see a couple more putts drop.

"I just have to keep playing the same way and keep patient at the weekend."