Bernhard Langer tamed windswept conditions to storm within a stroke of the lead during the second round at the US$9.5 million (£4.9million) Players Championship at Sawgrass.
Langer made a stunning start, with an eagle and four birdies in the first eight holes at the Sawgrass TPC. But 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.
Five of the seven British players in the 144-man field played early, and all but one, Luke Donald, were destined to miss the cut.
And Donald had to work hard to stay alive. He dug himself into a deep hole with an opening 75, but fought back with a rollercoaster 72 to post a three-over 147 halfway total.
While Donald could prepare for the weekend, compatriots Richard Johnson (six over), Lee Westwood (seven over), Justin Rose (seven over) and Paul Casey (nine over) were on their way home.