US OPEN winner Ernie Els continued his hot streak of form, shooting a three-under-par 68 to extend his lead to three strokes midway through the Buick Classic yesterday.

Els is trying to lead the Classic from start to finish for the second straight year, after hitting a seven-under 64 yesterday to lead by two shots in the first round at Westchester, New York.

Els' 10-under total nearly levelled the Buick Classic record of 11-under 131 for the lowest two-round score, set by David Graham in 1976 and matched by the South African himself last year when he went on to an eight-shot victory.

Jim Furyk also shot a 68 and was alone at seven under. Jeff Maggert (69) and Brad Fabel (67) were a stroke further back, and tour rookie Robert Damron shot 66 to join a large group at five under.

Tiger Woods birdied his last hole to shoot a one over par 72 and was at two over for both rounds.

Paul Azinger shot a 69 for a two-round total of 136 and a share of third place, only to be disqualified for failing to sign his card, before leaving the scorer's tent after his last hole.

"I simply missed it. I've never done this before during my entire career. Obviously, I am upset about doing something this silly. It especially hurts since I was playing so well this week," said Azinger.

"But those are the rules and I certainly do respect them," he added, after rules officials informed him he was in violation of Rule 6-6.

Meanwhile, Els was pleased: "I feel like I'm concentrating quite, nicely out there. I feel like I am focused. I feel like I want to play well and as I get over my ball to play I'm focused on the shot I want to play."

Vijay Singh made the cut for the 39th time in-a-row, the longest current streak on the American tour.