The world number one, who is hosting the US$6 million (S$9 million) tournament at Congressional Country Club, fired a four-under-par 66 to finish on 10-under 130, one ahead of Australian Rod Pampling (64).

American Bryce Molder was six under after carding a 70 on the 7,255-yard layout, venue for the 2011 US Open.

'I didn't drive the ball as well as I did yesterday or hit my irons as crisp,' said Woods, who returned a 64 in Thursday's opening round.

'Either I hit it pretty close to the hole, within 10 feet, or I was missing greens,' he told reporters.

'It was nice to actually get a score out of it. I didn't shoot myself in the foot.'

The 39-year-old Pampling, a double winner on the PGA Tour who finished third here a year ago, charged into contention with seven birdies and a lone bogey under partly cloudy skies and unseasonably cool weather in suburban Washington.

'The greens were really nice out there so once you got a line on your putt, they were pretty much guaranteed going in as long as you hit it there,' said Pampling.

'I just didn't do anything wrong and kept myself out of trouble and made some good putts.'

American Anthony Kim, who set the first-round pace with a course-record 62, was among the late starters and one under for the day after five holes. -- REUTERS