Justin Rose is in pole position to claim a third triumph in four events after setting the clubhouse target at the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational with a second round three under par 67 at Firestone Country Club.
The Englishman won back-to-back events for the first time in his career leading into the 143rd Open Championship and started a shot behind overnight leader Marc Leishman after a flawless opening round 65 yesterday.
Beginning on the back nine, the 34 year old - second behind Tiger Woods in this event in 2007 - dropped his first shot of the week on the 14th, but then gained four more to leapfrog Leishman to the top of the leaderboard.
Rose said: “I am really happy with the way I turned the long game around. Sixteen greens out there is pretty solid, but for the most part hit it close to the hole as well.
“Early in the round, the putts kept sliding by. I wasn't seeing the line all that well. I think 18 was the first putt I made.
“From there, I felt pretty comfortable with the putts. I had a couple of good looks coming in. Hit the hole left in the middle of 18, just a quarter inch short. All in all, it's a good start to the tournament.”
The Australian, fresh from finishing in a tie for fifth at Royal Liverpool, shot a 69 after a mixed inward nine that contained three bogeys and as many birdies saw him sit seven under, a shot ahead of Rickie Fowler.
Leishman said: “I feel like I'm playing well. It is a tough course. I guess the soft conditions are helping a little bit.
“If you're not hitting good shots, you can make bogeys pretty quick, as I found out the other day.
“It was 12 birdies. Hopefully, I can have another 12 and see what happens.
“It’s great to be around the lead going into the weekend of a big tournament like this. I’m looking forward to getting out there and seeing what I can do.”
Fowler, who has three top five finishes in Majors in 2014 ahead of next week’s US PGA Championship, ended strongly on the front nine, including an eagle on the par five second, to hit a second successive 67.
“I made a couple of good swings. I drove a little bit better, drove it to the fairway," Fowler said.
“I think I missed two that got away from me. But I kept the ball out in front of me and was able to get some good shots on some greens, actually make some putts.
“I feel like I had some better looks on my front nine that I missed and was able to take advantage of a couple other ones on the back.”
Australian Adam Scott carded a two under par 68 as he attempts to retain the World Number One spot. Rory McIlroy will reclaim top spot in the Official World Golf Rankings if he is triumphant at Firestone and Scott fails to make the top five.
However, a dropped shot on his final hole - the ninth - meant Scott had to settle on three under par, two above defending Champion Woods.
The 14 time Major Winner, who has won eight times at the Firestone Country Club, shot 61 in his second round last year en route to a resounding seven-stroke victory.
But the American failed to replicate those efforts today as he carded a one over par 71.
