Nick Watney and Sergio Garcia moved into a tie for the lead in Friday’s second round of the Barclays, as Tiger Woods battled back pain to lurk just three shots off the pace. American Watney fired a two-under-par 69 and Spaniard Garcia a 68 on the difficult, fast-running Bethpage Black layout to end a blustery afternoon at eight-under 134.

Fijian former world No 1 Vijay Singh, relishing being pain-free after three years of assorted health problems, was a further stroke back after carding a 67, level with American Bob Estes (66).

The ominous figure of Woods was at five under, the world No 3 having recovered from a bogey-bogey start to shoot a 69 in pursuit of his fourth PGA Tour victory this year.

Injured Jeev to miss European masters
New Delhi: Jeev Milkha Singh has pulled out of next week’s Omega European Masters and KLM Open, the following week, on account of a bruise on the trigger finger of his right hand. “Right now I wish to rest and recover from the injury,” said Jeev, who is currently 87th on World Rankings.

Kapur makes the cut at Gleneagles
Gleneagles (scotland): Shiv Kapur birdied his final two holes to keep himself afloat for the weekend action but SSP Chowrasia missed the cut at The Johnnie Walker Championship. Kapur had two successive rounds of 72 each to be tied at even-par for 36 holes on Friday. He was tied 50th. Chowrasia missed the cut by one stroke after rounds of 74 and 71.

Rashid wins players championship
Coimbatore: Rashid Khan held firm to edge out Vikrant Chopra in a playoff to win the PGTI Players Championship at the Coimbatore Golf Club. Rashid (70-67-70-75) bagged his second professional title after victory on the third playoff hole (18th hole) against Vikrant (72-67-70-73). The two ended the regulation 72 holes with identical totals of six-under-282 and had to head into a playoff to decide the winner.