Tiger poised for final attack

He's on the prowl again and, to be sure, there is a sense of deja vu about it all. Ominously, and with menace, Tiger Woods - seeking to become the first player to hold all four professional majors at the one time - moved onto the shoulder of the leader Chris DiMarco in yesterday's second round of the US Masters and increased the feeling that he is baiting his prey.

Nobody's biting just yet, however. DiMarco, for one, isn't. "The bottom line is that he's got to play the course too. I don't think there will be too much chitchat going on," said DiMarco, who'll be playing alongside Woods for the first time, adding: "I'm excited, I really am. I believe I belong here. Why not?

He said Woods and Duval "had to get there somehow. Maybe this is my week to get there".

In fact, DiMarco, a player with just one tour win to his credit, kept his nerve to set a new 36-holes low for a Masters rookie when he shot a second-round 69 for a midway total of 10-under-par, two shots clear of Woods and Phil Mickelson. Behind them, a large number of heavyweights were also lining up with David Duval included in a group of five players on the 137 mark.

On another day of good scoring, with the swirling wind only a factor around Amen Corner, there were encouraging performances from the two Irish participants.

Darren Clarke shot a 67 for five-under-par 139, and remarked: "I'm happy with the way I'm swinging. If the putter works, then I'll give myself a chance over the weekend."

Padraig Harrington showed exemplary fortitude in forging a second round 69 for level-par 144, which ensured he survived the cut by one stroke. "I had my own personal pride at stake to make the cut," he said.

Others weren't so resilient. Thomas Bjorn double-bogeyed two of the last three holes to miss out by a stroke; Greg Norman shot what he called an "ugly" round of 82, his worst ever round in his 21st year at the Masters, while Colin Montgomerie, Davis Love, Nick Faldo and Sergio Garcia were numbered among the other notable casualties.

There were 47 survivors into the weekend, with Jose Maria Olazabal, a two-time winner, showing his liking for the place by leading the European challenge in tiedninth at six-under-par, four behind the leader.

Woods's move, however, was uncannily similar to 1997, when he won his first Masters title. In fact, he reverted to the same scores that he compiled over the first two days back then, shooting 70 and 66. The only difference is that, on that occasion, he was the leader - holding a three-shot advantage over Montgomerie. This time, he is the pursuer, attempting to overhaul DiMarco's two-shot lead.

"I think experience helps at this stage of a major, it makes you feel more at ease. I've been there before. I've won majors and I've lost majors.

"I know how to control my emotions and I know what to expect, what to feel, and what I'll probably experience coming down the stretch with a chance to win. If you have not been there before, it is tough," insisted Woods, one of four players - along with Duval, Toshi Izawa and Mark Calcavecchia - to shoot low rounds of 66 yesterday.

Unusually, Woods suffered two three-putts, both of which resulted in his two bogeys: at the ninth, where he argued with his caddie over what club to select, and then at the 16th.

Elsewhere, though, the man seeking his place in the history books played flawless golf, notching up eight birdies while also missing two eagle putts (at the eighth, from 15 feet, and the 15th, from 30 feet).

Woods executed the shot of the day at the eighth, where he put his drive into the rough but then powered a three-wood 253 yards to 15 feet from the pin. Although he missed the eagle putt, his tap-in for birdie was to be the first of four birdies in six holes.

The three-putt at the 16th had the potential to halt his momentum, but instead he responded by birdieing the final two holes. "He's a momentum guy, just all the business," conceded DiMarco, "but I am going to try to do the same. The way he plays with all that pressure on him, everybody talking about getting four slams, is just amazing."

While DiMarco is at the head of the field going into the final two rounds, Woods is not the only player crouching and waiting to pounce. Mickelson overcame a double-bogey six at the short 12th - where he was caught out by the wind - to finish with three birdies over the closing six holes for a 69 to move alongside Woods.

And Duval, playing his first tournament in a month after sustaining an injury to his wrist, is also lurking with intent. "I came here with every intention of winning the golf tournament, and I still expect to do that," he said.

He's not alone in thinking that way!