Woods Putts Way to a Two-Shot Lead

Tiger Woods made every putt inside 20 feet and one from nearly 50 feet, leading to a six-under-par 66 on Friday and a two-shot lead in the Wachovia Championship at sun-baked Quail Hollow in Charlotte, N.C.

“More than anything, I gave myself some looks at the putts and I made them -- just about every one of them,” Woods said. “It’s a nice combination.”

Woods was at nine-under 135, two shots ahead of Kirk Triplett (73), Notah Begay (70) and Arron Oberholser (68).

Vijay Singh, who is challenging Woods for No. 1 in the world, missed six putts inside 18 feet on the back nine and had to settle for a 70, leaving him three shots behind.

Singh is hitting the ball so well that he is not overly concerned with Woods’ lead or that Masters champion Phil Mickelson (70) is two shots behind him.

“We’ve got the weekend ahead of us,” Singh said. “I’m playing well. I think I’m going to be there Sunday.”

Davis Love III birdied four of his last five holes for a 66, matching Woods for the best score of the round, and was at five-under 139.

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Kim Williams shot an event-record eight-under 63 for an 11-under 131 and a four-shot lead in the LPGA’s Michelob Ultra Open at Kingsmill Golf Club in Williamsburg, Va.

Williams, who has never won on the tour, made six birdies and an eagle on the 6,270-yard layout. It was the best round of her 16-year career.

Annika Sorenstam shot an even-par 71 for a two-under 140 and Michelle Wie, 14, had a bogey-free 67 that included four birdies for a three-under 139 total.

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Ray Floyd shot a five-under 67 and was tied with Sam Torrance for the lead after the first round of the Champions Tour’s FedEx Kinko’s Classic at Austin, Texas.

Tom Watson, last year’s runner-up, missed a 14-foot birdie putt at No. 18 and slipped into a tie for third place with Allen Doyle, Mark McNulty and Vicente Fernandez at four-under 68.

Floyd, 61, is seeking his first victory since 2000.

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Jesper Parnevik ruled himself out of playing in the Ryder Cup, saying he was not willing to play at least 11 events on the European tour as a requirement to make the team.

The 39-year-old Swede made the announcement after failing by one shot to make the cut at the Wachovia Championship.

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Two-time champion Betsy King and Dottie Pepper were given special exemptions for the U.S. Women’s Open, July 1-4 at the Orchards Golf Club in South Hadley, Mass.

King, a Hall of Fame member with six major titles, received her second consecutive exemption for the tournament. It will be her 29th consecutive appearance in the U.S. Women’s Open.

Pepper, who has been plagued by injuries the last few years, withdrew from the last two championships.