German Cejka leads from Poulter at Sawgrass
PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Florida (Reuters) - Germany's Alex Cejka fired a five-under-par 67 to lead by two shots from Britain's Ian Poulter after the second round of the Players Championship on Friday.
World number one Tiger Woods was seven shots off the lead after producing a three-under 69 but Australian Adam Scott, the winner here in 2004, failed to make the cut.
The 38-year-old Cejka posted 13 birdies in his two rounds and is halfway toward the tournament record of 26 set by Fuzzy Zoeller in 1994.
Cejka has yet to win on the PGA Tour but was in contention at the Players four years ago when he was one stroke off the lead with four holes to go before fading to finish 12th.
"It was a little bit trickier for me than in the first round. I didn't really hit the ball as well as Thursday when I was kind of flawless," he told reporters after playing in intense heat of more than 90 degrees.
"But I still made a couple of good up and downs and when I had birdies chances I took them. I am pretty excited to be up there two days in a row."
Poulter's four-under 68, to follow his 67 from the first round, leaves him in a strong position for the weekend, two strokes clear of six players four shots off the lead.
"I enjoy the course, the test and some of the tee shots that capture your attention. You have to step up and hit a decent tee shot at certain times -- I enjoy playing under pressure," said Poulter.
Swede Henrik Stenson and U.S. Masters champion Angel Cabrera (65) were among those sharing third place.
Argentine Cabrera, who started the tournament with a triple-bogey seven at his first hole on the way to a 72, hit nine birdies and two bogeys.
"It really comes down to the tee shots," he said. "Yesterday I just wasn't getting it off the tee in the appropriate spots.
"Today I did that well and you see the difference in my scores."
Woods, still far from his best after his eight month lay-off following a knee operation, was again inconsistent with three bogeys among his six birdies.
"I just kind of plodded my way along today. I made some birdies in the middle of the round which was nice. I don't know, overall I got myself back in the ball game," he said.
World number two Phil Mickelson shot 71 for 144 -- level par -- to just avoid the cut.
But American Paul Goydos, who lost in a play-off to Sergio Garcia in last year's edition, will miss the weekend's action, along with a trio of players with two wins at the Players -- Davis Love III, Fred Couple and Australian Steve Elkington.
(Editing by Ian Ransom)
