Two off the pace overnight, the world number one forged four strokes clear with a sparkling seven-under-par 65 in the second round at a sun-drenched Torrey Pines.

Woods piled up seven birdies in a bogey-free display on the North Course, the easier of the two par-72 layouts hosting the fourth event on the PGA Tour.

That left him at 12-under 132, ahead of American rookie Kevin Streelman who birdied the last for a 69 on the longer South Course to secure second place.

U.S. Ryder Cup player Stewart Cink was a further stroke back at seven under after a matching 69, also on the South Course.

Australian Aaron Baddeley birdied two of his last four holes for a 67 on the North Course to share fourth place at six under with Americans Boo Weekley (66) and rookie Brad Adamonis (72).

'It was the same thing as yesterday, low left and high right,' Woods told reporters of his tee shots after finding only six fairways out of 14.

'I've got to get that organised. When I tried to steer it out there today, it wasn't very good. I just over-shaped them.

'But my iron game was good and I made a bunch of putts, which can sometimes be a pretty tricky task out there. I got a couple good bounces on the greens, which was nice.' Despite his struggles off the tee, Woods covered his back nine in four-under 32 to take control.

First birdie
Playing his first tournament since winning last month's Target World Challenge, he collected his first birdie of the day at the par-four 13th after hitting his approach to eight feet.

He then conjured a miraculous par save at the 15th where he overhit the green with his second shot and ended up in spongy rough just short of the putting surface with his third.

However, he had a favourable lie in the grass a couple of yards off the green and calmly chipped into the hole to spark a loud roar from the gallery.

'That was probably my most important shot today,' he said.

'I had a decent lie and it went in. I've gotten some pretty good breaks the past couple days, some pretty good lies in the rough, and that's important.' Woods, bidding for his sixth title at Torrey Pines, rolled in birdie putts from 15 and 10 feet at the 16th and 18th to reach the turn in three-under 33.

He picked up another shot at the par-five first where he pitched up to four feet before reeling off further birdies at the second and fourth to stretch his lead to three.

After parring the next four holes in bright sunshine, Woods signed off with another birdie at the par-five ninth where he coolly sank an eight-footer. -- REUTERS