Big-hitting Robert Garrigus fired a second successive 64 to grab the halfway lead in the CIMB Classic at The Mines in Malaysia.
The 34-year-old American, three times a runner-up on the PGA Tour this season, had eight birdies in 11 holes before a closing bogey left him 14 under par and two ahead of South African Jbe Kruger.
Also round in 64, world number 181 Kruger out-scored playing partner Tiger Woods by three to keep alive his hopes of the massive £806,000 first prize.
Woods improved from joint seventh to tied fifth, but is now five strokes behind rather than three.
As for first-round pacesetter Troy Matteson, he did not have a bogey for the second day running, but his only birdies came at the third and sixth holes and with a 69 he dropped into a tie for third with Australian left-hander Greg Chalmers.
Garrigus had to wait until the short seventh for his first birdie, but then rattled off four in a row and continued to make forward progress over the back nine until his slip-up at the last.
Woods added six birdies to the seven he had on the opening day, but once again there were also two bogeys on his card.
Scotland's Martin Laird birdied three of the final five holes for a 67 and joint 11th place on seven under, while Swede Carl Pettersson is one further back after a round that included an eagle, six birdies and four bogeys.
Disappointment for the home fans came with Danny Chia managing only a 75 and crashing from seventh to 41st in the 48-man field.
