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Woods not thinking about 11th Major crown

21/07/2006

Tiger Woods has insisted he is not thinking about claiming his 11th Major crown despite carding a stunning round of 65 to lead the Open.

The defending champion is on 12 under after equalling the course record at Hoylake with his second round which featured an eagle and six birdies.

He is one shot ahead of South African Ernie Els who matched Woods with a seven under 65 after firing seven birdies.

Woods, 30, said there is a still a long way to go before he can claim victory.

"I'm not here with the jug," he said.

"We've got 36 more holes to go. Unless there's some kind of rainstorm coming and it's cancelled after two days, we have a long way to go."

The world number one also said his eagle at the 14th hole,a contender for shot of the tournament, was crucial.

"I made a few bombs and obviously 14 helped a lot," he said.

"I could not see the flag from where I was and I was just trying to hold it straight against the wind."

"Trust me I was just trying to get the ball on the green and take my four so to make two was a bonus."

Veteran Nick Faldo, who was Woods' playing partner, believes the American star will be tough to beat going into the weekend.

"If he keeps cruising I predict he gets to 20 under," said Faldo.

"He is the best competitor, mentally the toughest and the most trained for what he has to put up with.

"He plays with the 'Tiger Show' for 72 holes. Whoever plays with him now will have to cope with that."

Woods' compatriot Chris Di Marco became the third man to equal the course record and lies three shots behind on nine-under.

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