Retief Goosen leads by one at Firestone

Retief Goosen moved a step closer to his first PGA Tour victory of the year by grabbing a one-shot lead in the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational second round Friday at Akron, Ohio.

While Tiger Woods again struggled with his driving, Goosen was in good form off the tee and with his putter as he fired a four-under-par 66 in rain-softened, overcast conditions at Firestone Country Club.

The smooth-swinging South African recorded six birdies and two bogeys for a seven-under total of 133, one ahead of Phil Mickelson (68) and Justin Leonard (66).

Mickelson, who would replace Woods as No. 1 in the world with a victory this week, recovered from a double bogey at the 14th with two birdies in the last four holes to remain in contention.

“I’m happy with the round,” the 41-year-old Goosen said after taking 26 putts and missing only three fairways off the tee. “I’ve not done so well around this course in the past, so it’s nice to play well for two rounds and see how I can do on the weekend.”

First-round leader Bubba Watson carded a 71 to lie two strokes off the pace at five under, level with compatriot Bo Van Pelt (68) and Swede Peter Hanson (66).

Woods, the defending champion and seeking a record eighth victory at Firestone, hit only three of 14 fairways on the way to a 72 that left him 13 shots off the pace.

Goosen, a two-time U.S. Open champion, has produced good form this season with seven top-10s in 13 starts.

“I’ve been playing quite consistent. … I’ve just not been winning,” he said. “It’s that No. 1 that counts. This would be a great event to get my first win for the year.”

England’s Lee Westwood, ranked third in the world, pulled out of this event and next week’s PGA Championship because of a badly swollen right calf and ankle.

“I will be out for as long as it takes to get better,” Westwood said in a statement. “I am just hoping that it will be in time for me to play in the [Oct. 1-3] Ryder Cup.”

Cejka leads at Turning Stone

Germany’s Alex Cejka shrugged off gusting winds to take a one-shot lead after the second round at the Turning Stone Resort Championship in Verona, N.Y.

Cejka, seeking his first PGA Tour title, shot a four-under 68 at Atunyote Golf Club for a 10-under total of 134.

Cejka covered the back nine in four-under 32 to end the day a stroke in front of South African Rory Sabbatini (70) and American Chris Tidland (69).

Armour shoots 63

Tommy Armour III shot a nine-under 63 and has a one-shot lead over Mark Calcavecchia and David Frost after one round of the Champions Tour’s 3M Championship at Blaine, Minn.

John Cook and Jeff Sluman are two strokes back of Armour, who had two victories in 20 years on the PGA Tour.