Tiger Shares Lead in Shanghai; Lefty lurking

Tiger WoodsTiger Woods tracked down the lead Friday in Shanghai, slipping in 5 birdies in the last 10 holes to share the 36 hole lead with first round leader Nick WatneyNick Watney.

The world’s number one, who is approaching his 35th birthday on December 30, treated the Chinese throngs to a repeat 67 in the $7 million HSBC Champions tournament in the final World Golf Championship of the year.

A looming possibility of a showdown with world’s number 2, Phil MickelsonPhil Mickelson, grew as Mickelson finished one shot behind the leaders shooting a low round 66.

Woods believed he could have shot better during the early going.

"I certainly had some looks and didn't really capitalize on anything," Woods said during his media appearance. "Made a putt on 9 and from then on, I hit a lot of good putts and basically played the last 10 holes at 5 under."

Joining Mickelson in the fray one shot off the lead includes 27-year-old Ryan Moore (69) and Alvaro Quiros, the long hitter from Spain. Quiros posted a 66 on day two and was the only golfer to reach the par 5 603 yard eighth in two.

The veteran Pat PerezPat Perez and the irrepressible Anthony KimAnthony Kim are three off the lead.

Perez joked that Woods’ group stole the crowds.

"It felt like Sunday afternoon on the wrong side of the course," Perez said of his gallery "We had like two people following us. It's an awesome tournament, but we had no atmosphere. It made me realize I'm actually a nobody. I thought I was decently somebody, but this confirms it. In worldwide golf, I'm a nobody."

Although a great majority of the galleries may not fully understand Woods’ native tongue, they could interpret his displeasure not converting a multitude of opportunities on the front nine.

"It certainly was a bit frustrating," he said. "But the guys weren't running off and hiding, either. I knew if I could just play the back nine at 3-under par ... I figured that would probably be a good number. And I did a couple better than that."

Mickelson captured the HSBC at Sheshan International two years ago and has kept his sights on the lead He chipped in twice, but perhaps his best shot followed a flub. He hit hybrid into a fairway bunker on the 16th, leaving him an awkward yardage with the ball partially sunny-side up in the slope. He slapped a wedge to 12 feet and scored a birdie.

"I put myself in good position heading into the weekend," he said. "There's a lot of guys there, and I'll need to play well."

All the time thinking – Tiger.