Miami, March 24:

The putt was about 10 feet and looked like so many Tiger Woods had faced over the first two days at the CA Championship. The difference on Friday was the ball went in, and it put him back on track for a third straight victory at Doral Resort.

The par putt on No 9 sent Woods to three consecutive birdies, and he closed with the 10-footer on the final hole for a 6-under 66 and a two-shot lead over Rod Pampling.

“I hit good putts... but still had not made one yet,” Woods said. “Then all of a sudden I had this one up here at nine and I poured that one in. I said, ‘That’s my stroke. Just try and keep this thing going.’ And I did.”

And just like that, this again looks like his tournament. He was at 7-under 137 and will play the third round with Pampling. Ernie Els, who held off Woods five years ago at Doral, also made progress with his putter and had another 70. He was in a large group at 4-under 140 that included Henrik Stenson (73), Charles Howell III (71), Thomas Bjorn (72) and Trevor Immelman (68).

Woods’ 66 was the best round of the tournament. Robert Allenby, who shared the first-round lead with Stenson, had a 74 and was in the large group at 3 under.

Woods is the two-time defending champion on the course and this tournament, a World Golf Championship that invites top players from the money lists of six major tours and the world’s top 50.