Watney grabs lead as Woods misses cut

GOLF: CHARLOTTE, North Carolina, May 5 (AFP) - Nick Watney put a string of lackluster rounds behind him on Friday to fire an eight-under par 64 and seize the 36-hole lead in the US PGA Tour's $6.5 million Wells Fargo Championship.

On a day when 14-time major champion Tiger Woods missed the cut for just the eighth time in his pro career, Watney was going in the other direction - up.

It was a marked change of fortune for Watney, who hadn't broken 70 in his previous nine rounds and hadn't managed a top-10 finish in nine stroke-play events.

"I think last week was a wake-up call for me," Watney said of missing the cut at New Orleans.

"And I've worked really hard these five days leading into this event. I think it just shows I'm making progress," added Watney, whose round included seven birdies and an eagle at the par-five 15th.

"Who knows what's going to happen this weekend, but I'm really excited for it. More hard work, and hopefully I'll be in this position a lot more."

Watney had a 12-under total of 132 and was one stroke in front of fellow American Webb Simpson, who had five birdies in a four-under 68 for 133.

Simpson played alongside Woods, who was erratic off the tee and struggled on the greens en route to a one-over 73 for even-par 144.

"If he holed putts, he'd be in contention," said Australian Geoff Ogilvy, who played with Woods and Simpson.

One of Woods's misses was a four-footer for birdie at the eighth, his penultimate hole of the day. He rolled it three feet past the pin.

Woods got one break, when he was given a free drop at the par-five fifth after officials determined a fan walked off with his ball.

The break did Woods little good, however. He was equal 85th when he walked off the course and outside the top-70 and ties that made the cut at one-under 143.

"Well, it's frustration," Woods said. "I finished, what, 12 back of the lead, and I'm not playing the weekend where I have a chance to compete for a title."

Stewart Cink, seeking his first victory since his British Open triumph at Turnberry in 2009, carded a 69 and was tied with Ben Crane, DA Points and Aussie John Senden on 134.

Crane carded a 64, while Points and Senden both shot 68.

American Ryan Moore was alone on 135 after a 70, which included a penalty stroke after his ball moved as he prepared for a tap-in.