Schwartzel earns share of lead

Two set clubhouse mark as Woods faces anxious wait

Former Masters champion Charl Schwartzel and American Patrick Cantlay set the early clubhouse target in the US Tournament Players Championship in Florida last night as Tiger Woods faced a lengthy wait to see if he would make the halfway cut.

South African Schwartzel added a bogey-free 66 to his opening 68 at Sawgrass to reach 10 under par, a total matched by American Cantlay courtesy of a 68.

American Chesson Hadley was a shot off the pace after dropping three shots in his last two holes, with Australian Jason Day – who is seeking back-to-back wins following victory in the Wells Fargo event last week – part of a four-strong group another stroke back on eight under.

Woods carded two birdies and one bogey in a second round of 71 to finish one under par, right on the projected cut mark.

“I was just a touch off today,” said Woods.

“I didn’t make many birdies. I had my chances. I didn’t hit it close enough.

“The course could have been had today. It’s so hot, it’s playing short, the greens are receptive.”

Schwartzel has 11 European Tour titles to his name but has won just once on the PGA Tour – the 2016 Valspar championship – since his victory at Augusta in 2010.

But the 33-year-old has been coming into form with a third place alongside Louis Oosthuizen in the Zurich Classic of New Orleans followed by a top-10 finish at Quail Hollow on Sunday.

“I’ve been making a bunch of birdies in the last few weeks and making just as many bogeys and the difference this week is obviously making a lot less bogeys,” said Schwartzel, who has dropped just one shot in 36 holes.

“It started changing for me on the back nine on Friday at New Orleans.

“I started playing a lot better and have rolled with it. All the swing work that I’ve done for the last couple of months I’m feeling comfortable with it now and it’s paying off.”

Schwartzel has never finished inside the top 25 at Sawgrass – “I’ve even missed this tournament a few times, willingly!” he joked – but a new approach is paying dividends.

“It’s the first time I’ve not come here from South Africa,” he added.

“I normally go back to South Africa after Augusta and then fly from there and start with this tournament.

“I’ve played my way into it and it’s obviously the way to go.

“This is a hard tournament to come to after a three-week break.”

Former world No 1 Rory McIlroy began the second round alongside Woods on one under par bit slipped to two over after 14 holes yesterday.

But playing partner Jordan Spieth, who struggled to an opening 75, was five under for the day after 14 to reach two under.