Couples gets the needle

Fred Couples’ treatment by an acupuncturist paid off as he claimed the lead after 36 holes at the Buick Classic in Harrison, New York.

The former world number one and Masters champion fired a bogey-free six-under-par 65 at the Westchester Country Club to finish the day on 10 under at 132 – a shot clear of first-round leader Vijay Singh, Fredrik Jacobson and Briton Luke Donald.

“I’ve kept the ball in play, which is a key here,” said Couples,

Couples was tired following his runner-up finish at last week’s Memorial and visited acupuncturist visited Dr Halina Snowball after he opened this event with a 67 on Thursday.

He saw her again on Friday morning and has another appointment before the third round.

“To me it’s unbelievable what they can do or what she can do because I’ve never really tried this before,” Couples said. “And I’m going to give it a shot, keep trying.”

Couples third-round playing partner will be Fiji’s Singh, the double Major winner who is vying for the world number one spot.

“I’m really happy the way I’m playing,” said Singh. “Hitting the ball solid off the tee, hitting my iron shots nicely and rolling the putter very well, but not finding the hole today.”

Singh settled for a 70 on Friday, matching the worst score of any player in the top 21.

But he is still in Saturday’s final pairing and one of the favourites heading into the second Major of the season.

Phil Mickelson, who earned a long-awaited Major title at Augusta in April, is within five shots at five under on 137 and feeling good about his game heading into the US Open.

“It’s hard to tell, but it’s pretty close,” said Mickelson, who followed a 69 with a 68.

Tom Byrum shot a 64 to leap from 66th to fifth at seven-under 135.

Padraig Harrington heads a group of five players tied for sixth at 136, while Mickelson, Ernie Els of South Africa and Spain’s Sergio Garcia share 11th with eight others at 137.