Woods seeks to preserve record

Tiger Woods began his second round in the US Open today looking to maintain another amazing career record.

Woods has made the cut in all 37 majors he has played as a professional, and last missed one while still an amateur in the 1996 US Masters.

A first-round 76 at Winged Foot yesterday placed that record in some jeopardy, although the world number one was helped by the 10-shot rule in operation this week.

The top 60 players and ties will make the halfway cut tonight, as well as any player within 10 shots of the lead.

With the lead currently held at one under by overnight leader Colin Montgomerie and American Steve Stricker, that meant players on nine over would be here for the weekend.

Woods stood at six over after recording pars at his first two holes, the 10th and 11th, and was looking to take advantage of the perfect early conditions to get back into contention.

“I just have to grind it out and if I can shoot under par the next two days I will be right up there,” the 30-year-old said after his first round. “Last year was a lot easier than this and there was no-one under par by the end of the week.”

Montgomerie was among the later starters and had been joined at the top of the leaderboard by Stricker, who carded a 70 on Thursday and had birdied the 14th this morning to move to one under.

England’s Paul Casey had picked up two early birdies to improve to five over par, the Ryder Cup star battling a hand injury caused when he stabbed himself with a pencil while filming an advert for sponsors Nike on Saturday.

Defending champion Michael Campbell was also five over after a birdie on the 11th cancelled out a bogey on the 10th.