Australian Adam Scott is not ready yet to call this year's Open a two-horse race between himself and leader Brandt Snedeker - certainly not after Tiger Woods holed a bunker shot on the last.
Scott, out in front after his opening 64, responded to Snedeker matching that round by tucking in one behind with a 67. Woods is three further back.
"It's a world-class leaderboard stacked up a few shots back and I think no matter what the conditions are one of those guys is going to have a good day and make up ground," said the 31-year-old.
"So we certainly have our work cut out to stay ahead of that pack."
The two front-runners are both seeking their first major titles, but Scott has won the Players Championship - golf's unofficial fifth major - and one of the sport's world championships.
"Why I've played good this week is kind of a culmination of everything I've done over the last couple of years," he said.
"I feel like this is the path I've been going down and it just happens to have happened here that I've put myself in a good position after two days at a major.
"I think it's just the practice adds up and eventually pays off.
"If you're playing good on Thursday and Friday and Saturday and you're leading, you're playing better than anybody else that week.
"So it seems to make sense that you can go on to win because you're playing good. It's not often that I've led a tournament not playing very well.
"At some point to win a tournament you're going to have to be out in front - unless you shoot 10 under the last day and come from way back - so you'd better get comfortable with that position."
