Leader Woods misses landmark

Woods was nearly as hot as the 100 degree temperatures at Southern Hills in Oklahoma, firing a seven-under-par 63 to claim a two-shot lead in the second round.

No-one in major history has carded a 62 but the world number one almost added another milestone to his incredible career when his curling birdie putt on the 18th green horse-shoed out.

"It was an ideal start," Woods said. "I was three under through five and it just turned. I hit some nice shots out there."

A birdie at 10 got the back nine off to a good start but it was a par that really jump-started Woods. After hitting into a bunker, Woods had a 35-foot putt for his four on the 12th and the putt found the left edge of the cup and dropped.

"That just kept the momentum of the round going, that was a big putt," Woods admitted. Then from there I made a couple more birdies, which was nice."

Three straight birdies followed and with three holes to play that ground-breaking 62 was on the cards.

He failed with a 15ft birdie attempt at 16 but it was 18 where history looked like being made as his 18ft effort appeared set to drop into the cup before jumping out. An exasperated Woods dropped his putter to the green in disgust.

"I hit a good putt and I thought I made it," Woods said. "It would have been nice to have gotten a record and a three-shot lead going into the weekend. I hit a good put, that's the important part. It just didn't go in."

Canadian Stephen Ames had the lead briefly at four under after consecutive birdies at the 13th and 14th but closed with a bogey on 18 to tie for third at three under after a 69. Australian Geoff Ogilvy was tied for the lead with Woods late in his round but a pair of bogeys to drop to three-under.