Poulter made his only bogey on the 18th hole for a second straight 68. Westwood had everything from an eagle to a double bogey in his wild round of 69. They were at eight-under 136 after two rounds — the first time either of them has been in the lead in a major.

Two shots behind was Woods. Phil Mickelson needed a birdie on the 18th to be paired with Woods, just as they were in the final round last year. His 65-foot putt banged off the back of the cup before spinning away to finish at 71.

Woods and Mickelson were at 138, along with KJ Choi, Ricky Barnes and Anthony Kim, the American coming off a victory last week in the Houston Open.