Singh storms clear at halfway

Vijay Singh showed why he is ranked number one in the world by claiming a two-stroke lead after the second round of the PGA Tour season-opening Mercedes Championships in Hawaii.

The Fijian picked up seven shots over the first 12 holes in an eight-under-par 65.

In a moderate breeze at the Kapalua Plantation course on Maui, Singh’s 36-hole total of 15-under at 131 is two shots better than Mike Weir.

The Canadian former Masters champion charged into contention with a second-round 63.

Another Major winner, Ernie Els carded a 65 to move into third place on 12 under.

But former world number one Tiger Woods had problems on the slow greens for the second successive day, missing four times from inside five feet.

“I’m going home,” joked Woods, whose 68 left him five shots behind Singh. “I had my chances to post a good solid round and I didn’t do it.

“I’ve just got to somehow figure out how to get the ball in the hole. We’ve never putted them this slow before.”