Kelly keeps in touch by matching Woods' best

Tiger Woods' new course record of 65 was equalled three times in the second round of the AmEx World Championship, not least by Tiger himself. At 14 under par, the world No 1 extended his lead to two over Jerry Kelly, another member of the 65 club.

For the second successive day Mount Juliet basked in fine late summer sunshine and with the course in such good condition – the greens have received rave reviews – low scoring was inevitable. One of the defences that Jack Nicklaus depended on in designing the course was more typical Emerald Isle weather, the absence of which may or may not explain why the leading European Ryder Cup player, Niclas Fasth, was seven strokes off the lead.

As on Thursday, Woods made seven birdies and did not look like dropping a shot. "Today I drove the ball better," he said. "But the key to the scoring has been the greens. They are so perfect you can feel comfortable over a 20 or 30-footer. I walked a couple in today because they weren't going to bounce off line." Tiger's thoughts about the Ryder Cup – there being a million reasons why he would want to win this week rather than next – brought agreement from most of his American team-mates. While he said he enjoys playing in the match, he again explained his distaste for the timetable of practice and functions that precedes the event.

David Duval added: "The ambivalence, if that's what you want to call it, from the players is not about the competition itself but the pomp and circumstance that surrounds it." Duval was the third player to score a 65, one of his few really low rounds of the year leaving him a mere six behind Woods. "For a change I executed everything I wanted to do and didn't have a chance to make a mistake," the former Open champion said. "For most of my career until this year I have driven the ball well. Today I put the ball in play and that is easier than playing from the rough."

With the pairings remade in score order for the second round, Colin Montgomerie played with Bernhard Langer, a partnership which will almost certainly be seen at some stage at The Belfry. Monty is usually less than chuffed to be paired with a player who goes about his business significantly slower than himself (although almost everyone plays slower than the Scot). There can be a certain amount of stomping about and an air of disenchantment that his life is ebbing away. Though outscored by two strokes by the German, Montgomerie, who scored 70, had enjoyed the round and would enjoy reviving a partnership that has seen success in past Ryder Cups.

"Everyone wants to play with Bernhard because he is such a fantastic partner," Monty said. "He is a real pro. He makes sure that you do not hit until you are ready. It slows me down, which can be a good thing. There is no point going faster than your partner. It would not be a surprise to anyone if we played together at some point next week."

Ireland's Darren Clarke was an early starter but with no cut in this tournament has two more days to make up for his opening rounds of 75 and 76 for seven over. Such scoring left the Ulsterman more than a little confused. "I have been practising particularly hard and it seems to be going the other way," Clarke said. "It's not a concern but it is a bit of a mystery to have such shocking scores."

WORLD GOLF CHAMPIONSHIP (Mount Juliet, Co Kilkenny) Leading second-round scores (GB or Irl unless stated): 130 T Woods (US) 65 65. 132 J Kelly (US) 67 65. 133 D Toms (US) 66 67, S Lowery (US) 66 67. 134 R Goosen (SA) 67 67. 135 S Appleby (Aus) 69 66; E Els (SA) 68 67, G Evans 67 68. Selected: 136 D Duval (US) 71 65; S Leaney (Aus) 69 67; J Leonard (US) 68 68; V Singh (Fij) 67 69. 139 P Harrington 69 70. 140 B Langer (Ger) 72 68, J M Olazabal (Sp) 68 72. 141 P Lawrie 71 70. 142 M Calcavecchia (US) 72 70, C Montgomerie 72 70, P Mickelson (US) 70 72.