Golf: Singh leads Clarke by two

Former Masters champion Vijay Singh had a second round 65 to lead Northern Ireland's Darren Clarke by two shots at the halfway stage of the Shell Houston Open.

The Fijian had seven birdies in a bogey-free round at the TPC at the Woodlands to go to 12-under-par, following his 67 on Thursday.

Early-starter Clarke also had a 65 - his lowest round in a strokeplay event in the United States - and looked set for a share of the lead until Singh birdied two of his last three holes.

Clarke, 33, has yet to miss a fairway after 36 holes and has taken a mere 51 putts, 27 on the first day and 24 in his second round.

Former double Open champion Greg Norman, who lost his PGA Tour card last year, is just six shots off the pace after adding a 68 to his opening day 70, while British Walker Cup star Luke Donald is a shot further back after also shooting 68.

Scotland's Colin Montgomerie is attempting to play his way into some form ahead of the Masters in two weeks time and looked set for a weekend off after another ordinary round.

But the seven-times European Order of Merit winner grabbed a closing birdie on his last hole - the ninth - for a one-under par 71 and made the cut by a stroke.

V Singh (Fij) -12

D Clarke (Gbr) -10

JP Hayes -9

B Jobe -8

G Ogilvy (Aus) -8

S Verplank -7

J Haas -7

C Riley -7

Selected

G Norman (Aus) -6

C Montgomerie (Sco) -1