Solid Tiger back in familiar territory

Woods chuckled without a response. He had played two well-executed rounds. Was this actually a golf question? Yeah,I do, Woods finally answered. And then another pause,another grin and a sideways glance that seemed to say,are you kidding?

Yes, he said.

If Thursday had been the first day of his comeback,then Friday was more than the second day because it was just another day. Friday was the day that his Nike television commercial seemed odd but not newsworthy. Friday was the day that fans cheered him and were drawn to him,but they were also caught up in a changeable leaderboard that lured thousands of spectators away from Woods and toward Phil Mickelson and Anthony Kim.

If Woods came to the 2010 Masters seeking normalcy,Friday was the day that he actually disappeared for a while as he chased rare birdies on a blustery day. He was no longer the story,he was trying to become part of the story.

I got myself into contention, Woods said. And that feels really good.

The Englishmen Poulter and Westwood duelled throughout Friday to set the pace,and though each bogeyed the 18th hole,they finished with two of the three best rounds of the day to close at eight-under. Woods was tied with Kim,Mickelson,Ricky Barnes and KJ Choi.