Bernhard Langer tamed windswept conditions to storm within a stroke of the lead during the second round of the Players Championship at Sawgrass.
Langer, at 50 the second oldest player in the field, made a stunning start, gathering an eagle and four birdies in the first eight holes at the Sawgrass TPC.
However, he bogeyed the par-five ninth to make the turn at five-under, with Americans Paul Goydos and Kenny Perry leading at six under through six and seven holes respectively.
First round leader Sergio Garcia (five holes) and American Kenny Perry (six holes) joined Langer at five-under, while American Anthony Kim had the clubhouse lead with a four under total of 140.
Ian Poulter headed an otherwise non-existent British challenge, just two strokes behind after picking up three birdies and two bogeys in a decent front nine.
The 22-two-year-old Kim, meanwhile, showed no signs of a victory hangover after his stunning win in Charlotte last Sunday.
"I think today was my best ball-striking round in the last six tournament days I've played," he said after a round of 70.
"But the putter was a little bit cold. I did my best to stay down and stay focused but the wind is playing havoc out there.
"I feel like I'm doing the right things and making good decisions and doing my best to perform. I'm just taking it shot by shot, and that was hard for me last year, and even earlier this year."
