Phil Mickelson stayed on track in his bid to become world number one for the first time while South African Retief Goosen grabbed a one-shot lead after the second round of the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational on Friday.
Top-ranked Tiger Woods again struggled with his driving, but Goosen was in good form off the tee and on the greens as he fired a four-under 66 in rain-softened, overcast conditions at Firestone Country Club.
The smooth-swinging South African recorded six birdies and two bogeys for a seven-under total of 133, finishing one ahead of Americans Mickelson (68) and Justin Leonard (66).
Left-hander Mickelson, who would replace Woods as world number one with victory this week, recovered from a double-bogey at the 14th with two birdies in the last four holes to be snapping at Goosen's heels.
"I'm happy with the round," the 41-year-old Goosen said after totalling 26 putts and missing only three fairways off the tee.
"I've not done so well around this course in the past, so it's nice to play well for two rounds and see how I can do on the weekend."
First-round leader Bubba Watson carded a 71 to lie two strokes off the pace at five-under, level with fellow American Bo Van Pelt (68) and Swede Peter Hanson (66).
Australian Adam Scott (70), Spaniard Miguel Angel Jimenez (67) and Britain's Paul Casey (68) were among a group of six bunched at four-under.
Woods, champion here last year and seeking a record eighth victory at Firestone, hit only three of 14 fairways on the way to a 72 that left him a distant 13 shots off the pace, tied for 72nd in a field of 80.
The 14-times major winner, who has not triumphed on the PGA Tour since last year's BMW Championship, left the course without speaking to reporters after he had signed his card.