Jim Furyk claimed a six-under-par 64 to lead defending champion Tiger Woods by one shot at the midpoint of Japan's richest golf tournament, the Dunlop Phoenix.
Furyk hit seven birdies to move to nine-under-par overall. Woods, the world number one, stood at eight under after a round 67 featuring five birdies and two bogeys.
First round leader David Duval, a former world number one, also trails by a single stroke after a two-under-par 68.
Furyk, world number seven, will be paired with Woods and Duval from Saturday.
Making a 15-foot putt after finding water on the 17th hole where he made his sole bogey was a key moment. "If ever there was a nice bogey, that was it," said the American.
Japanese pros Tetusji Hiratsuka and Kaname Yokoo are four strokes back of the leader after each shot a 67.
The Dunlop Phoenix has 200 million yen (€1.4 million) in prize money, helping it draw the strongest international field of the season.
New Zealand's US Open champion Michael Campbell is seven strokes off the lead at two under par. Scotland's Colin Montgomerie was at even par.
